10 reasons why drinking water is important for your health

Drinking enough water is one of the simplest ways to stay healthy, yet many of us drink far less than we should, without considering it too much of a problem.

In fact, it’s no secret that water is essential to life, and that it has a huge role to play in regulating the functions in our bodies and keeping us in good health.

Here are 10 reasons why drinking water is essential to our health.

1. It regulates our body temperature

We tend to drink more water when it’s hot, which makes perfect sense, considering we lose a lot of water when we sweat. In order to replenish this lost moisture and prevent dehydration, drinking water is absolutely crucial.

2. It helps our bodies to get rid of waste

When we sweat, urinate or defecate, we are expelling the waste that has built up in our bodies. Water is an essential element for all of these processes.

3. It helps our bodies to absorb nutrients

The nutrients, vitamins and minerals we get from our food are broken down, dissolved and delivered to the rest of the body by water.

4. It helps to prevent certain medical conditions

Aside from having a hand in our overall health, water also specifically helps to prevent a number of medical conditions, including hypertension, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, constipation and exercise-induced asthma.

5. It helps to circulate oxygen in our blood

When we drink enough water, it aids the circulation of oxygen in our blood to the entire body.

6. It boosts our brains

Drinking too little water can have a detrimental effect on our short-term memory, alertness and focus, which is why water is crucial to optimal cognitive functioning.

7. It helps to boost our energy

A healthy metabolism has been shown to impact our energy levels – drinking plenty of water helps to boost our metabolism and with it, our energy levels.

8. It adds a glow to our skin

Drinking enough water ensures that our skin stays hydrated, and may also have an influence on collagen production, which helps our skin to look younger for longer.

9. It improves our mood

Even small instances of dehydration can lead to fatigue and even anxiety or confusion.

10. It enhances physical performance

It is of paramount importance to drink enough water while exercising. Not only does this prevent dehydration and keep us cool, but also affects our endurance, power and strength.

So how much water should you drink? According to medical experts, men should consume at least 3 litres (about 11 cups) of water daily, while women should aim for 2.12 litres (about 8 cups).

Ensure you stay hydrated with great-tasting water from Health on Tap at Hazeldean Square. Health on Tap’s water is produced using reverse osmosis and ozonation. It is alkaline with a pH of 9.5+, and Health on Tap calls it “the best structured ionic antioxidant alkaline water in town”.

Visit Health on Tap at shop 18 at the Hazeldean Square shopping centre in Silver Lakes, Pretoria, to get your fill.