The hit song, Water No Get Enemy, by the creator of Afrobeat, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, speaks extensively on the benefits of water in every aspect of life. But don’t bother going in search of the track released in 1975. This article got you covered.
We shall talk about the general benefits of water before using bullet points to highlight the benefits of water for the skin, the hair, weight loss, drinking it in the morning, drinking it hot, and drinking it with lemon. You may as well call it benefits unlimited!
Benefits of drinking water
Most doctors will tell you water is your medicine. And a cheap and easily accessible one at that. Health experts recommend 8-ounce glasses per day, about two litres or half a gallon. However, how much water you need depends on many factors, including your weight, how often you exercise, and the climate where you live. The most unmistakable sign that you are taking enough water is your pale-yellow urine. If yours is dark yellow, increase your H2O level.
Let’s look at how being well hydrated is beneficial to your health.
1. Lots of energy in your system
Water maintains a steady flow of nutrients into your cells. This boosts your energy. Your cell membrane becomes less permeable when you are dehydrated. It hampers the flow of nutrients, affecting your mental and physical performance and making you lethargic. We bet you don’t want to be tagged sluggish!
2. You might lose weight
If you increase your daily water intake from what was recommended above, there’s a tendency you will eat less. Less food intake means a drop in calories, resulting in weight loss. We shall explain this better later.
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3. Helps you work up the sweat
Water is key to making you have a damp forehead during physical activities. This shows that your body is playing its role in maintaining an average temperature.
4. You will feel strong when you work out
Water helps your muscles keep the right balance of magnesium, potassium, and sodium to function properly. The muscles can be prone to cramping without water. A low level of water also reduces physical performance.
5. Helps your mood
Losing your body mass through sweating (say, while cooking) and not drinking enough water to replace it could sour your mood. You are more likely to experience fatigue and headaches. So, drink water as you make delicious Oha soup!
6. Your memory may improve
Your brain relies so much on fluids. All those neurons and synapses need liquid to function correctly. Studies have shown that the memory and attention of children improve after they drink water. However, it’s not clear if this pattern holds for adults. But then, that shouldn’t stop you from meeting your quota for the day. Think of your skin!
7. Water helps your skin to glow
The skin is at least 30 percent water. If you drink the right quantity of water recommended, your skill cells will plump up, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. But if your skin cells don’t get the water it needs, they will shrink and wither. We reckon you don’t want to have wrinkles in your prime.
8. You will easily kick cold symptoms
Your doctors don’t tell you to drink water when you are coming down with an ailment. Your body has to launch a counterattack against germs when you are ill. That means your cells need more fluid to keep up with onslaughts. Your runny nose, for example, is your body’s way of flushing out bacteria. Drinking water helps loosen mucus and keep your nose and throat humid.
9. You will keep things regular
Things like emptying your bowels. Water mingles with the dietary fibre in your digestive tract to make your stool softer and easier to pass. Drinking water can also reduce the risk of constipation.
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Benefits of drinking water for skin
- Increases skin elasticity
- Prevents ageing of the skin
- Flushes out toxins
- Prevents sagging of skin
- Keeps acne and pimples at bay
- Maintains acidic and alkaline balance of your skin
- Gets rid of puffy eyes
- Takes care of brittle nails
Benefits of drinking water for hair
- Enhances hair growth
- Improves the health of your hair
- Strengthens your hair
- Works against hair damage
- Water helps to flush out toxins from the hair
Benefits of drinking hot water
- Relief congestion
- Relief constipation
- Aids digestion
- Boosts functioning of your nervous system
- You express less shivering when cold
- Improves circulation of blood
- Good for stress reduction
- Aids detoxification
- Better sleep
Benefits of drinking water in the morning
- Increase your energy levels
- Boost your metabolism
- Help ease aches and pains
- Clearer complexion and more radiant skin
- Fight toxins
Benefits of drinking water in weight loss
- Help burn calories
- Water is a natural appetite suppressant
- Helps reduce the intake of liquid calorie
- Help increase exercise success
- Water is essential to the efficient burning of fat
Benefits of drinking water with lemon
- Gives your immune system a boost
- Excellent source of potassium
- Aid digestion
- Cleanse your system
- Freshen your breath
- Keep your skin free of blemish
- Help you lose weight
- Reduce inflammation
- Give you an energy boost
- Help to cut out caffeine
- Help fight viral infections
Conclusion
If you are tired of the old-fashioned water, you can complement its intake with sparkles and flavours, like adding lemon, above. Water with bubbles offers the same benefits as regular water, and fruits add to the taste. Herbal teas, milk, and sports drinks can help you stay hydrated. But avoid the ones that are overly caffeinated or sugary. Also, steer clear of tonic water because of the sodium and sugar.
You can munch on fruits and vegetables with high water contents like tomatoes, watermelon, cucumbers, cherries, and grapes.
But then, the old-school water remains your best medicine. Indeed, it has no enemy, as drinking water is the first line of defence against most diseases.
So, pour yourself a nice enormous glass. Sit back and view the latest edition of the Nigerian Idol!
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