Heres everything you need to know about water, summed up in one short sentence: You need it to survive and thrive so drink a lot of it. 

For those of you that need a more in depth explanation, the rest of this article is for you. Most people think that if they drink too much water they are going to gain water weight, feel bloated and melt like the Wicked Witch of the West. In reality the opposite is actually true. The body retains water in response to hormonal and biochemical imbalances, poor cardiovascular and cellular health, toxicity, and dehydration. Water weight is water that the body retains in the cells, tissues and other cavities in the body if enough water isn’t consumed for the body to function regularly. Our body is made up of 80% water and it is used for literally every function that the body completes. That brain you are using right now, the breath you are taking, the eyes you are reading with, your heart that is beating and your fingers that are moving are all using water. 

Has anyone ever told you to drink a glass of water with every meal? Well let me tell you why that very smart person told you to do so. When you eat a meal your body breaks down the food, keeps the nutrients and discards the rest as waste. Water is necessary to carry the nutrients to your cells and to get rid of all the excess food the body can’t turn into energy. If you aren’t getting enough water, the body will hold onto the excess food and it will start causing all sorts of problems. Weight gain, toxicity in the body, illness, disease and in extreme cases even death. If you consistently don’t get enough water, it starts to build up in your body because there is no new water to flush it out = water weight. 

These symptoms of lack of water should be enough to make you go grab a glass..or two or three…or a gallon:

1. Fatigue, Energy Loss: Dehydration causes enzymatic activity to slow down. 

2. Constipation: In chronic dehydration, the colon takes too much water to give to the rest of the body. 

3. Digestive Disorders: Without water, the body can’t secrete digestive juices. 

4. High and Low Blood Pressure: The body’s blood volume is not enough to completely fill the entire set of veins, arteries, and capillaries. 

5. Gastritis, Stomach Ulcers: The stomach secretes a layer of mucus to protect its mucous membranes from being destroyed by the acidic digestive fluid it produces. 

6. Acid-Alkaline Imbalance: The body gets acidic due to an enzymatic slowdown that dehydration activates. 

7. Eczema, Acne, Uneven Skin Complexion: The body needs enough moisture to sweat 20 to 24 oz of water to dilute and eliminate toxins so they don’t irritate skin. Water moisturizes skin to help prevent wrinkles and reduce acne. Talk about a good anti-aging drink! 

8. Excess Weight and Obesity: If you aren’t getting enough water, the body may crave foods with a high water content to achieve hydration. 

9. Respiratory Troubles: To protect the respiratory tract from substances that might be present in inhaled air, the mucous membranes of the respiratory region are slightly moist. 

10. Cholesterol: The body tries to stop the loss of water by producing more cholesterol when too much liquid has been removed from inside the cells. 

11. Cystitis, Urinary Infections: Toxins attack the urinary mucous membranes if the toxins aren’t sufficiently diluted in urine. 

12. Premature Aging: I think this one is pretty self explanatory based on all the other facts. We are 70-80% water, loss of water = wrinkles, loss of cellular, brain and organ functions. 

13. Cramps and Sprains: Proper hydration helps increase muscle elasticity and keeps joints lubricated. 

14. Gas, bloating, nausea, poor digestion and loss of appetite: Our bodies need water to produce the digestive juices that help the digestive process. Chronic dehydration can cause digestive disorders that can cause serious long term problems. 

15. Depression: The amino acid tryptophan is required by the brain to produce the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is needed to make melatonin. An adequate amount of water is required for tryptophan to be transported into the brain. 

The moral of the story? Drink a lot of water and your body and mind will thank you. You will have more energy, get sick less and be more likely to reach your health and fitness goals. Grab a glass and start chugging!

 

 

 

Sources: Sources: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/13-symptoms-of-chronic-dehydration.html#ixzz2t8GBx64u, http://experiencelife.com/article/drink-to-your-health/

Originally Published at: www.FitBritt.co

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Brittany Petersen

Certified Holistic Health Coach, Drugless Practitioner (AADP), Body By Vi Regional Director, Pure Barre Instructor, Certified Group Fitness Instructor (AFAA), Dance Teacher and Health Food Addict.

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