Benefits of Drinking Water and how much should you drink????

AwesomeSauce4 · March 2012

Here are something I have found Helpful about Drinking Water & wanted to Share with everyone...

What are the benefits of water?

There are a lot of claimed benefits of drinking water, but are they really that big a deal? Well as a former big time soda addict, let me share some of the changes I’ve personally noticed in my own body and health since giving up the soda and switching to water…

Healthier, younger looking skin: Now that I drink water regularly, my heels are not as dry and they don’t crack anymore. My nails and the cuticles around them are healthier too. The skin on my hands is soft again and less wrinkled, and I have noticed fewer to no breakouts on my face.

More energy: This is definitely true, especially during exercise. If I’m dehydrated, I feel more tired and sluggish. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day (be sure to sip not gulp) prehydrates my body, so when I work out, my body is ready and not dying of thirst 10 minutes into it.

Plus, this one is strange and I have no explanation for it, but I just feel lighter and cleaner when I drink water… must be just a mental mystique thing there.

Revving up the metabolism: I can’t say I’ve noticed any physical changes in regards to this one, but in its defense how am I to know what my metabolism is doing really. My body does work more efficiently well hydrated, so it makes sense that my metabolism may be working more efficiently too. As I said before, I do have more energy… I also read that if you drink ice cold water, your body has to work to heat it up, thus burning calories while ingesting none – sounds reasonable to me. Consequently, I list this one as a true benefit.

Helps buff and tough muscle: I haven’t noticed any of my muscles growing, but I’m not focused on body building. Randy strength trains though, and staying hydrated gives him more energy to lift. Consider, too, that a well hydrated body should be able to build muscle tissue more efficiently.

One benefit I have experienced since drinking more water is that I no longer have muscle cramps in my legs. I use to wake up with some terrible cramped up calves in the middle of the night – not anymore. I think my muscles are much happier hydrated with H2O.

Good working digestive pipes: This is a definite plus due to water! I won’t gross you out with my previous non-working issues, but I will tell you all the good things that have happened since. Most importantly, I can “go” regularly. And, when your body can ingest, digest, and move stuff out on a regular basis, a lot of the garbage you didn’t know you were storing moves out with the constant out flow, resulting in cleaner “pipes”. Because my digestion process is in an easy working type order, the evacuation zone is much happier too. ooOOook, enough on this subject…. I’m sure you get it.

A true weight loss aid: Yes, yes, yes! If you have more energy, get more from your workouts, and can better eliminate the food you eat, how could this not help you lose weight? Also consider, the body can hold quite a few pounds in… um well, undigested stuck food – gross again I know. Just think energize, burn, and work it out! You’ll be feeling great! My belly is so thankful and less bloated…

Which leads me to relief from boating and water retention: To me, it has always seemed funny that I should have to drink more water to eliminate water, but it’s true. The water you drink helps to flush out toxins and other reasons for your body to retain fluid… My feet use to swell up something awful, especially after working out sometimes. Drinking water has definitely helped me reduce water retention, and my feet are much happier too.

A natural appetite suppressant: If I’m dehydrated, I sometimes feel hungry. But, I wouldn’t say that drinking a glass of water erases my hunger pains. If my stomach is growling, water doesn’t tame it. But, drinking water with my meals does help me feel fuller, and I eat less. Therefore, I think it really helps when it comes to portion control and pigging out… I use to pig out A-LOT.

A body’s best natural body lube: Absolutely, 100% positively soooo true! My body functions much more efficiently when I’m hydrated.

If you’re not a fan of water, I hope this helps to change your mind. There are so many benefits to drinking H2O, plus now there are so many things to flavor up your water! I honestly can say, too, that drinking water helped me to kick my bad soda habit. I think the soda actually left me thirsty, but after drinking water I just wasn’t thirsty anymore.

If it isn’t already, make water your favorite drink… Why do you think Aquaman is so hot?

How much water should you drink???? 1oz for ever 2lbs you weigh.. so if you weigh 200lbs you should drink 100oz ect....

Divagettinfitin2011 · March 2012

Thanks for sharing;))

MovesLikePuma · March 2012

Thanks Rachel, great information as usual. :drinker:

Daisy374 · March 2012

Thanks for sharing

Hodar · March 2012

That was actually one of the BEST articles on this, that I have read. I love the way your share your opinion. It may or may not be scientifically sound; but this is what you have found, and this is what you believe. And after reading your opinion, I think you've made a believer out of me, too. I'm a soda addict, and since my soda is 99% water; well, so many articles blast soda - but at the same time condone MIO or other additives. If MIO with water is OK, then why is Dt. Dew bad?

Think I'll be kicking the soda habit; the comments on leg cramps and dry heels really struck home.

Great job, as always, Rachel

sassyshook · March 2012

I have noticed some of these already, the cracked heels, suppressant and energy from the water I drank. I noticed when I dont drink water I feel so tired and no energy!!

Thanks for the Info!!

brandimacleod · March 2012

Thanks! That is an awesome and perfectly timed (for me) post. I just gave up soda and artificial sweeteners for Lent, so it has been a water and plain ice tea week for me. I am noticing many of those benefits already. :happy:

Sumo813 · March 2012

Bump!

smileybooliz · March 2012

Thanks for sharing Rachel!! I'm even more motivated to drink my H20!!:drinker:

baylor110311 · March 2012

Thanks so much for this info! I will have to share it with my husband & my sister BC they both think I'm curacy for drinking so much water. Just this week I started drinking more water & WOW I can already tell a difference. I feel everything You said describes my to a T. I also noticed my moods are better. Great article!!!