Anyone with a weight loss goal has surely been encouraged to drink more water. But do you know why? It can be easy to overlook this important piece of advice, when hearing it over and over again. But boosting your fluid intake can help with not only weight loss, but improving overall health as well. Below are some of the most important reasons why drinking at least 64-80 ounces of fluids each day vital to optimal health.
It keeps your engine running. Accounting for about 60% of the average adult’s body weight, it’s pretty clear that water is important to our body. In fact, just about every body system uses water to do its job. To name just a few, water is used to aid in digestion, as well as absorption and transportation of all but 4 vitamins, it keeps your immune system running efficiently, and it facilitates the removal of waste products from the body. Without replacing the fluids we lose each day, none of these systems will work as well as they should. There has also been some research that indicates proper hydration is important in maintaining our metabolic rate, which is impactful when we are trying to lose weight.
It keeps you focused. When we lose more fluids than we are replacing, the body becomes dehydrated. Some of the symptoms of dehydration include tiredness, weakness, headache, constipation, and concentration difficulties. When it comes to those of us trying to lose weight, these symptoms can complicate things. When was the last time you made it to that exercise class when you had a headache? Or wanted to think about what healthy meal to make for dinner when you were tired, and foggy-headed? Drinking enough water will not only help you feel better physically, but also help with making better choices when it comes to food & exercise throughout the day.
Keep in mind, while water is best, there are other fluids can help with reaching your hydration goals for the day. Stick with non-carbonated, decaffeinated, and sugar-free beverages when water isn’t enough. To help keep track of how well you’re doing, make sure to use the hydration tracker on the portal!
