10 benefits of Drinking Water and Staying Hydrated

It is easy to forget to drink enough (and I don't mean the alcoholic kind).  It is especially important in hotter weather to make sure that we don't dehydrate.  

When you feel thirsty, your body is likely already insufficiently hydrated. While you can make a habit of drinking water first thing in the morning to help stay hydrated, as many ancient medicinal arts suggest, sipping water throughout the day is also important. Remember to opt for pure, clean, filtered water whenever possible.

10 Benefits of Proper Hydration

1. Combat Fatigue – You can’t run on all four cylinders if you are dehydrated. Water is one of the most important sources of energy for your body. 

2. Reduce High Blood Pressure – When the body is fully hydrated, the blood is approximately 92% water. 

3. Halt Allergies and Asthma – When the body is dehydrated, it creates more histamines – organic nitrous compounds which help to regulate our immune response. 

4. Reduce Acne, Dermatitis, Psoriasis, and Premature Aging of the Skin – With proper hydration, the skin practically glows. 

5. Stop High Cholesterol – When the body hasn’t had enough water, it will start to produce more cholesterol so that cells can still function properly.
6. Eliminate Digestive Disorders – Water can help eliminate and reduce the incidence of ulcers, bloating, gas, gastritis, acid reflux, and IBS. 

7. Flush Out Unwanted Bacteria from the Bladder and Kidneys – People who are well hydrated experience less frequent bladder or kidney infections since water helps to flush out any unwanted microbes that try to accumulate in these eliminative organs. 

8. Speed Up Joint and Cartilage Repair – Most of the padding in our cartilage is made up of water, so if we don’t drink enough of it, our bones will feel stiff and our joints will take a beating. 

9. Stop Gaining Unwanted Weight – When our cells are depleted of water, they cannot create energy we need to function, and so they send a signal to the brain to ‘get more goods.’ This means you will eat more, and likely carry some extra unwanted pounds. 

10. Slow the Aging Process – Finally, all of our organs require copious amounts of water to function properly. If we stay dehydrated for long stretches, every cell, organ, and system in the body has to work harder, which means we will age faster. 

Try drinking water with a little lemon and sea salt after a workout instead of sports drinks that are full of refined sugar. Instead of drinking soda, replace this beverage with water. Try adding some lemon, orange or cucumber wedges or even letting a pitcher of water infused with herbs like mint, holy basil, or sage steep in the refrigerator overnight. The result is delicious and healthy.

Warm water tastes good with lemon and a touch of ginger in also.

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