Estimates vary on how much you water you should drink each day. The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine recommends 15.5 cups of fluids each day for men and 11.5 cups for women. In the average diet, about 20 percent of this will come from food, while the rest comes from beverages. If you don’t have a dedicated water bottle to help you stay hydrated, here are some compelling reasons to increase your intake and start drinking more water.
Water Improves Your Metabolism
Drinking water helps increase your body’s metabolism. A study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that energy expenditure increased 30 percent an hour after drinking 17 ounces of water. Researchers suggest that this data indicates an individual could burn an extra 17,400 calories over the course of a year just by consuming 1.5 liters of water a day. This equates to about five pounds of weight loss.
Water Helps You Feel Satisfied
Drinking water helps you feel full, so staying hydrated can also help you to stay satisfied. The next time you feel hungry, try drinking a glass of water before you reach for a snack. You may find that a cool drink was all you really needed. Drink a glass of water before meals to increase satiety here as well. Consuming enough water can ultimately help you cut back on your calories.
If you have trouble getting as much water as you should, try some of Lifesum’s smart tips for getting more water in your diet. You might infuse your water with fresh fruit or add, both, fruits and vegetables with a high water content to your diet. Cucumber and watermelon are two efficient picks that will help you stay hydrated if you struggle to drink as much as you should.
Water Helps to Improve your Complexion
Water is critical for supple, youthful-looking skin. Like all organs in your body, the skin contains a great deal of water. If your body doesn’t have a proper supply of water, your skin will appear flaky and dry. It may feel tight, itchy, or otherwise uncomfortable. If your skin is supplied with adequate nutrients and hydration, it will stay soft and supple, giving you a more youthful appearance.
Water Enhances Brain Function
Research has proven that it’s more difficult to focus when you’re not properly hydrated. Dehydration impairs your short-term memory and makes it more difficult to recall things in your long-term memory. Your brain needs hydration the most in the morning when you’re just waking up from a long drought. A properly hydrated brain will work more efficiently, so a big glass of water can help jumpstart your mind for the day ahead. Getting enough water can also help minimize stress and anxiety, so if you’re starting to feel the strain during a long day, it’s time to drink up.
Drinking water is a simple activity with a powerful impact on your health. Whether you need to upgrade your water bottle or start exploring fruit infusions, find what works so you can get the proper amount of hydration in your day.
This post was supported by LifeSum; lemon water image by Tracey Hocking, mason jar image by Ethan Sykes on Unsplash
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