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Personal Development

5 Benefits of Increasing Water Intake

Water makes up 60% of our body weight on average, and regular intake of it can provide a range of health benefits. If it is not prioritized, noticeable negative consequences can arise. Here are 5 benefits of increasing water intake:

Can Reduce Brain Fog 

Water intake activates a part of the autonomic nervous system that stimulates alertness. This is especially helpful on the days when you are either slightly or majorly sleep deprived, as your default response is to feel brain fog through confusion, forgetfulness and a loss of focus.

When you are working or trying to focus on another important task, keep a 1-2 litre stainless steel water bottle with you. Not only will it satisfy the urge if you get thirsty, but it can also keep you mentally engaged in what you are trying to do. 

Increases Physical Capacity 

When we exercise, our bodies lose between 1-5 pounds of water per hour. This creates a reduction in physical capacity, whether it be through aerobic or anaerobic output. In other words, you will not be able to lift weights or run with ease as time goes on.

One of the benefits of increasing water intake is that it can increase your physical capacity.

Staying hydrated before a gym session, for instance, will put you in a better position to at least initially utilize your muscles at their best. While working out, ensuring you are hydrated every 15 minutes or so can help you push through another set or increase your weight. 

Can Benefit the Gut Microbiome

Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is essential to your wellbeing as it influences critical areas such as mood and immune function. See here for information on its importance and for more methods to improve its state.

Staying hydrated, among other things, can ensure your gut microbiome is functioning at its best. Hydration is linked to processes such as bodily waste removal, gut motility and intestinal secretions. More, some research indicates that it contributes to the diversity of good bacteria in your gut, which strengthens this area.

Can Improve Skin Physiology 

Years ago there was a lot of buzz around drinking at least two litres of water a day as a means of reducing facial acne, and to some degree I can personally attest to that. 

It turns out that increasing your water intake can indeed improve your skin’s elasticity, moisture levels (if suffering from dry skin), and clearness. A study conducted on 49 healthy women, divided into two groups (one that consumed less than 3.2 litres a day and one that consumed more), found that at least two litres a day improved superficial and deep skin hydration.

It is inferred from this research that one of the benefits of increasing water intake is that your skin physiology can be positively impacted.

Helps the Liver and Kidneys

Another one of the benefits of increasing water intake is that it reduces the workload of your liver and kidneys to flush out waste. Water does so on its own, thus freeing up energy for those organs to perform other bodily duties, such as control blood pressure (kidneys) and control immune responses (liver).

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