Quench Your Life: The Importance of Drinking Water

By Staff
waterhead.com
October 11, 2011

Most athletes and active people know that they need to keep hydrated in order to perform well. The importance of drinking water really cannot be underestimated, especially for those of us who love to lead high energy lives. Even though you spend all day splashing around in water, it can be hard for a waterhead to remember to drink enough H2O. Here are a few reminders about why drinking water is so great for your body, and a few clever tricks to keep yourself downing nature's perfect drink all day long.

Building A Great Body: The Importance of Drinking Water & Staying Hydrated

More than half of your body weight is made up in water. There are a lot of reasons for this, and they all have to do with keeping your body running smoothly.  Think about blood: blood carries essential nutrients and oxygen throughout your body. Water is an essential ingredient in your blood. Without it, your blood cells cannot carry important supplies to the rest of your body. We all know that we need oxygen and nutrients to survive, so remember to fuel your blood cells with lots of fresh, delicious water.

Water also helps our digestive system function properly. We need water to digest our food. Water helps acids in our stomach to break down our foods, releasing essential nutrients into our bodies. As we just learned, these nutrients are carried to our body parts through our blood, which also needs water. Keeping hydrated helps waterheads assure that their bodies are getting the nutrients they need to be strong and healthy.

Water also provides electrolytes and essential minerals for our bodies. Electrolytes help us to feel replenished and refreshed when we have been exercising. Having enough electrolytes and minerals in our bodies helps us to stay healthy. Water is also a key ingredient in lymph fluid, which helps fend off illness. Having plenty of healthy lymph fluid and all the minerals and electrolytes our bodies need can help us stave off illness.

Drinking water also helps our bodies get rid of waste. If our bodies cannot eliminate waste, our guts can become toxic, which is very dangerous. Water also helps carry toxins out of your body. We all ingest some level of toxins while we are eating and breathing. Without water, our bodies cannot get rid of these toxins, and we become sick. Drinking enough water also staves off nasty problems like constipation and diarrhea. Waterheads do not want to be afflicted with preventable digestive problems when hitting the pool, lake, or ocean.

Water helps your body regulate temperature. All of us sweat, and this sweat helps our bodies to cool down when we are hot. Sweat leaves your pores and evaporates on your skin, bringing down your temperature and making you feel better. Sweat is made up of water, so when you sweat a lot you need to be sure you are putting water back into your body. It can be hard for a waterhead to tell when they have lost water through sweat. It is always safe to assume that you are sweating when you participate in water sports, even though you do not feel it. Make sure to give your body enough water to keep this awesome temperature regulation system running.

Your body needs lubricants to keep moving, and water is essential in this process. Lubricants keep your joints moving smoothly and help prevent painful stiffness and aches. The importance of drinking water is not just that your body needs it, but also that it provides a lot of comfort for your body. Keep your joints lubricated and moving smoothly to best enjoy every sport you play.

As you age, you will be happy that you have given your body enough water to stay healthy. Water helps your body with a ton of essential functions. It also keeps your skin looking and feeling great. Keeping the outside of your body hydrated is just as important as keeping your insides hydrated. 

Five Fast Ways to Make Water More Exciting  

Remember that all living things need water to survive. This means that we give our bodies water when we eat fruits and vegetables, too. Cucumbers, oranges, tomatoes, and lettuce all contain water that helps our bodies function. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is a great way to make sure that we are giving our bodies a water boost.

If you are a waterhead who loves being in the water and understands the importance of drinking water, but does not love drinking the stuff, you might need more tips to keep you drinking this great beverage. Here are five ways you can make getting all the water you need on a daily basis fun and tasty:

1. Add a burst of cool refreshment to your water by putting a few slices of cucumber into your water bottle or pitcher. Cucumber adds a very mild flavor to your water, and you can eat the cucumber slices as a snack, too.

2. If you get motion sick on the boat out to your next big dive or are an expectant mother being kept out of the water by nausea, try adding some grated or crushed ginger to your water. Ginger is a well-known stomach soother and is great for your body. It also adds a kick of spice to food and drinks.

3. Set your watch or cell phone for a family water break. Get everyone together and pass out a tasty snack--like watermelon, mango, or carrots--and offer up water to wash it down.

4. If you crave sweet beverages, add a little honey to your water. It will give you a great kick of sweet without refined sugar.

5. Squeeze some fresh citrus into your water bottle for a burst of flavor that is rich in vitamins and minerals. Orange, tangerines, limes, lemons, and grapefruit all make great additions to water. They also contain natural sugars to keep your body fueled for activity.

No matter how much time you spend in the water, do not forget the importance of drinking water, too. Water keeps you healthy and happy. It quenches your body and fuels your thirst for an exciting, activity-filled life.

Others who read this, also read Water And Your Health Are Connected, Top Reasons to Conserve Drinking Water, Tap Water Can Be Controversial, The Biggest Causes of Water Pollution, Top Reasons to Carry a Water Bottle, Water Nutrition Benefits of Drinking Water or The Untold Truth On Bottle Water.