The Healhy Wonders of Water

Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on July 01, 2009
Sources:  2009 WebMD


Stay Slimmer With Water

• Trying to lose weight? Water revs up metabolism and helps you feel full. 
• Replace calorie-laden beverages with water, and drink a glass before meals to help you feel fuller.
• Drinking more water also helps amp up metabolism - especially if your glass is icy cold. Your body must work to warm the water up, burning a few extra calories in the process.

Water Boosts Your Energy

• If you’re feeling drained and depleted, get a pick-me-up with water. Dehydration makes you feel fatigued.
• Water helps the blood transport oxygen and other essential nutrients to your cells.
• If you’re getting enough water, your heart also doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood throughout your body.

Lower Stress With Water

• 85% of your brain tissue is water. If you’re dehydrated, both your body and your mind will be stressed.
• If you’re feeling thirsty, you’re already a little dehydrated.
• To keep stress levels down, keep a glass of water at your desk or tote a sports bottle and sip regularly.

Build Muscle Tone With Water

• Drinking water helps prevent muscle cramping and lubricates joints in the body.
• When you’re well hydrated, you can exercise longer and stronger without "hitting the wall."

Nourish Your Skin

• Fine lines and wrinkles are deeper when you’re dehydrated. Water is nature’s own beauty cream.
• Drinking water hydrates skin cells and plumps them up, making your face look younger.
• It also flushes out impurities and improves circulation and blood flow, leaving your face clean, clear, and glowing.
  

Stay Regular With Water

• Along with fiber, water is essential to good digestion.
• Water helps dissolve waste particles and passes them smoothly through your digestive tract.
• If you’re dehydrated, your body absorbs all the water, leaving your colon dry and making it more difficult to pass waste.

Water Reduces Kidney Stones

• The rate of painful kidney stones is rising because people - including children - aren't drinking enough water.
• Water dilutes the salts and minerals in your urine that form the solid crystals known as kidney stones.
• Kidney stones can't form in diluted urine, so reduce your risk with plenty of water!
  
  

Are You Drinking Enough Water?

• Generally, nutritionists recommend we follow the "8x8 rule."
• Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.
• You may need more water if you exercise or sweat heavily.
• You may need less water if you drink other beverages often.

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