THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING HYDRATED
Did you know that the human body is comprised of over 70% water?!
Here’s the breakdown to further explain:
The brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water. Muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery: 31%!!!
Basically, water is a vital part of life! Your body depends on water to survive.
Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body needs water to work properly.
Drinking water is one of the easiest things we can do to improve our health and help prevent sickness but research shows more than half of adults in the U.S. don’t drink enough water.
There are many great benefits to drinking more water:
- Improved brain function
- Improved sleep quality
- Digestive harmony
- More energy
- Weight loss/management
- Decreased joint pain
- Better body temperature regulation
- Kidney stone prevention
- Healthier heart
- Improved detoxification
- Fewer headaches
HOW MUCH WATER DO YOU NEED?
One of the most popular methods of determining this is to divide your current weight in half. Some experts suggest that this is the minimum amount of ounces of water your body needs when it is at rest. Be aware that water intake may need to be adjusted depending on increased activity and environmental changes such as warmer temperatures.
Drinking a glass of water when you first wake up in the morning is very important as your body has been fasting for 6+ hours. Drinking water first thing in the morning flushes the stomach and therefore balances the lymphatic system. A stable lymphatic system will help build a strong immune system, which will prevent us from getting sick as often.
Consuming lots of foods high in water such as fruits and vegetables is also very beneficial. A helpful list of examples can be found here: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325958
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE DEHYDRATED?
You may begin to experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Excessive thirst
- Fatigue
- Hunger
- Dry Mouth
- Muscle weakness/cramping
- Headache
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
If you start to notice these warning signs, do not ignore them!
Immediately take a break, drink more water, and give yourself time to recover.
On average, adults lose almost 10 cups of water a day simply by sweating, breathing and going to the bathroom. Along with water, you also lose electrolytes, which are vital because they help maintain the balance of fluids in the body. When you become dehydrated, your body cannot function optimally, possibly resulting in heat stroke or even death.
In the simplest terms, dehydration occurs when you lose more water than you take in. Staying hydrated is important to keep all your body functions running smoothly. Whenever you are working outdoors or in warm environments, you’ll want to take extra precautions as the temperature heats up. Skip coffee or soda, and make water your beverage of choice.
During periods of heavy exertion, take frequent water breaks. Adjust your intake to match your activity level and working conditions to stay healthy and alert.
Please note: BION provides free water at all job sites. Please drink as much as needed. Remember to properly dispose of empty water bottles.
BION cares about you and your family! Stay hydrated and stay healthy!
Article written by Cera Yacarini. Cera (pronounced Sara) is BION’s Service Department Administrative Assistant and Billing Expert. Cera has a passion for all things healthy but especially for hydration. Over the last year, she has been researching and learning about alkalized water and the affects is has on the body and environment.
