The human body needs water daily because it helps in many functions, like regulating the body temperature, proper brain function, getting rid of waste products and even optimal metabolism. Besides, over 60% of the human body comprise of water. The medical experts recommend drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily, popularly referred to as 8*8 rule. While there is little scientific backing for this rule, you stand to reap many benefits when you stay hydrated.
Below are some health benefits of drinking enough water:
Drinking Water Helps With Weight Loss
If you are struggling to lose weight, then you need to consider drinking plenty of water. One crucial benefit of hydrating is that it improves metabolism and improves your satiety level. According to some studies, increasing your water consumption can boost your metabolic rate. This increase the number of calories that you burn daily hence lead to weight loss.
According to a 2013 study among 50 obese women, increasing their daily water intake by 500ml (16.9 ounces) thrice per day prior to meals for eight weeks led to a significant decrease in body weight and body fat compared to the measurements before the study. For weight loss, the timing of water consumption is crucial, and you should drink it half an hour to meals. That way, you will feel fuller and consume fewer calories.
It May Help to Prevent and Treat Headaches and Migraines
Some people may suffer from constant headaches and migraines due to low water consumption. In fact, research has revealed that headache is a good indicator and one of the common symptoms of dehydration. A good example is one study that involved 393 people and it showed that 40% of the participants had headaches due to dehydration.
Furthermore, studies reveal that hydrating can help to alleviate headaches among those who experience them from time to time. However, there is a lack of consensus among the various studies. Researchers believe that more high-quality studies are necessary to prove how hydrating can relieve headache symptoms and reduce headache frequency.
Hydrating May Help Improve Our Physical Performance
When you do not drink enough water, your physical performance may be affected negatively. This is even more crucial during high heat and intense workouts. You will have a noticeable effect if you lose as low as 2% of the body’s water content. And it is common for athletes to lose between 6% and 10% of their body weight through sweating. As a result, they may suffer fatigue, loss of motivation and other effects, hence the need to hydrate sufficiently.