Why is drinking enough water so important?

Aside from knowing that drinking enough water is “good for us”, what are some of the true benefits of drinking enough water? Let’s dive into 3 of the big reasons why it can be so important to get enough H2O. 

1. Absorption - Your cells need adequate hydration to optimize the production of energy from food. Water is important for healthy digestion. As the Mayo Clinic explains, water helps break down the food you eat, allowing its nutrients to be absorbed by your body. After you drink, both your small and large intestines absorb water, which moves into your bloodstream and is also used to break down nutrients.

2. Energy Expenditure/Performance - A relatively small amount of dehydration can impact your energy output during exercise. Dehydration can impair the body's ability to lose heat. This can lead to higher core temperature and higher heart rate. According to HumanKinetics.com, even in cool laboratory conditions, maximal aerobic power (.VO2max) decreases by about 5% when persons experience fluid losses equivalent to 3% of body mass or more.

3. Hunger vs Thirst - “Mild dehydration can mask itself as hunger and might make you more prone to sugar cravings, according to some experts.” According to Trident Health. The signs of hunger and thirst can be similar for some people. Some of the same feelings of dehydration and fatigue can be felt for both hunger and thirst making it a possibility to confuse the two. A few other reasons may be that you aren’t tuned into the various signals from your body. Your body may be searching for water and naturally gravitating to food could be a behavior pattern developed over time. *Please note that substituting water for true hunger is not a practice that is recommended.*

Signs you are not drinking enough water:

• You’re thirsty. This is one of the first cues that we need water. 

• Your urine is a concentrated color. Urine that is pale to light straw yellow signifies that you are drinking enough water. 

• Brain fog.

• Headaches.

How much should you be drinking?

It depends on the person, their activity level, their body, and the climate they live in. Most adults can aim for approx 3 liters a day and modify to meet their needs. 

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