It might go without saying, but the benefits of drinking water are important, possibly even more important than you think. With tasty but sugary sodas and fruit juices out on the market now, water has been largely forgotten and under appreciated as a way to quench thirst and stay hydrated. It is, however, one of the most important building blocks of life, and our bodies need it to perform even the most basic tasks. In the interest of promoting drinking water and your health, we’ve put together a list of the health benefits of water – some of which you might not have even realized.
Manage Weight
Not only does drinking water suppress your appetite, but it also reduces your body’s fluid retention (since your body is getting enough water, it doesn’t have to try to hold on to it so much). Aside from increasing your metabolism as well, it’s a zero-calorie substitute for unhealthy sports drinks and sugary fruit juices.
Keep Skin Young
Believe it or not, water can improve not only the firmness of your skin (which translates to less wrinkles), but also its dryness and complexion as a whole. Drinking plenty of water keeps your skin moisturized, smooth, and glowing.
Boost Immune System
While it’s certainly no antibiotic, water can reduce the likelihood of getting sick in the first place. Because the water molecule is such an important part of helping your cells function properly, drinking more water means you’re giving your immune system the tools it needs to ward off infection.
Enhance Cognitive Function
Water is vital for getting your brain the oxygen it needs to carry out the complex tasks it has to perform. Not only does water improve nerve function, but it also ensures there is proper electrolyte balance for your nerves to relay messages to and from the brain at an optimal level.
Build Muscle
When cells don’t get enough fluids, they shrivel. For your muscles, this translates to muscle fatigue. By making sure your muscle cells do get enough fluids, your muscles will be able to work longer without getting tired, which means an increase in muscle strength.
While these are only some of the important health benefits that drinking water offers, you should also keep in mind that water is not only inexpensive (usually free!), but it’s also good for the environment. You can buy an expensive, unhealthy sports drink that’s packaged in plastic, or you can get free, healthy water at nearly any restaurant or home you enter. At MD Home Health and MD Home Assist, we support the latter, because we support your health and wellbeing.