The Benefits of Drinking Water

http://nutrition.suite101.com/article.cfm/the-benefits-of-drinking-waterThere are many life changing health benefits that can come from simply staying hydrated. Drinking enough good quality water can change the way you feel.



We've all heard that drinking plenty of water is essential to good health, and it is. Water is essential to all the vital functions of the body. It reduces the risk of many diseases, including cancer, boosts your energy levels and immune system, and increases your mental clarity. The body needs water to recover from illness and injuries, and water is absolutely necessary for any cleansing and detoxifying. With all these benefits and many more, it is surprising that most of America lives in a chronically dehydrated state because they choose so many other sugar and caffeine laden beverages instead of water.
What Can Water Do?

Water makes up about two thirds of the human body, and is vital to every part of its functioning. Water transports nutrients and oxygen into cells, moisturizes air in the lungs, helps with metabolism, protects vital organs, regulates body temperature, helps absorption of nutrients, and protects muscles and joints.

Here are just a few of the benefits that come with being well hydrated:
Weight loss – water helps you lose weight by flushing out the by-products of fat breakdown
Headache relief – chronic headaches are often a sign of dehydration
Healthier, younger looking skin – water helps replenish and moisturize skin tissues, fighting the aging effects of skin dryness
Better digestion, less constipation – a lack of water is one of the most common causes of constipation, proper hydration can assure better digestive health
Less muscle and joint injuries – when muscles and joints are well hydrated, they are more agile, and much less susceptible to cramps and sprains
More energy – when the body is dehydrated, the heart has to pump harder to keep the blood circulating properly, so drinking water helps ease the load on the heart and cut down on fatigue

An equally important and often neglected part of this issue is the quality of the water itself. If water contains elements that are harmful to the body, its positive effects can be neutralized. Tap water in most parts of the country has been found to contain pollutants such as barium – an industrial heavy metal, cyanide – a chemical poison used for industrial purposes, sulfate – an acid used in the agricultural industry, a variety of acids that come from pipes and fixtures and occur as byproducts of water treatment, and chloroform, as well as bacteria.

http://nutrition.suite101.com/article.cfm/the-benefits-of-drinking-water