H2O: The Fountain of Youth
11.04.10
Health professionals estimate your body is composed of 40 to 50 percent water. So obviously, drinking the proper amount water is crucial to your optimum health. And seeing that water is the most abundant compound on Earth, there’s plenty to go around. But so often people don’t realize the seemingly great effects H2O has on the body and the mind. Want youthful looking skin? Reach for a glass of water. Need more energy? A nice drink of H2O is the way to go. Dr. Dawn Smiley of Emory Diabetes Research at Grady Health System in Atlanta shares just some of the innumerable benefits that come from drinking from this fountain of youth.
Your Skin: Water helps to give your skin a glow and keep your skin moisturized and thus, lessens the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and dark circles under the eyes. It decreases dry patches and flaking. Water also decreases the tendency for breakouts due to clogged, dried up pores.
Your Weight: If you’re trying to shed some pounds, drinking a full glass of water before every meal helps to decrease the amount that you may eat at one sitting and this may in turn help you to lose or maintain your weight.
Your Organs: Hydration keeps the organs happy. Prolonged dehydration can cause your brain cells to temporarily shrink and this can cause changes in mental activity such as difficulty concentrating, sleepiness and confusion. And of course, the kidneys and the liver need water to help filter the impurities.
Your Dental Health: Water helps to keep our salivary glands working and rinse away bacteria that can build up in a dry mouth. So make sure to water those choppers for fresher breath and stronger teeth.
Your Body’s Systems: Water runs through several systems in your body and has a necessary cleansing effect. One of the biggest factors underlying bowel irregularity is the lack of water and hydration. Water, along with balanced dietary fiber, helps to flush the gut and thus maintain bowel regularity. This health benefit can decrease the risk of abdominal pain and bloating.
More Benefits: The pros of water don’t stop here. In addition to stretching those muscles, water helps to avoid post-exercise cramping. And if you have diabetes and have a high blood sugar, water can help to bring your sugars down after a meal in addition to the regimen that your doctor has prescribed for you.
The bottom line is drink up. Carry a re-usable water bottle with you. It’ll encourage you to drink more water and keep track of how many ounces of water you are drinking a day.
