It’s no secret the human body needs water to survive. Every cell, tissue and organ is made up of water and needs it to function properly. The human body uses water to maintain temperature, remove waste and lubricate joints. It’s also critical for heart health. When hydrated, the heart and other organs don’t have to work as hard. When dehydration occurs, the human body can experience several problems, including headaches, lethargy, constipation and in some life-threatening cases, heatstroke. Read on to learn why hydration is important and how it can keep your heart healthy.
Why Is Hydration Important?
While drinking 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses is a great goal to establish, different people need different amounts of water to stay hydrated. The amount depends on several factors such as climate, exercise intensity and duration. Typical water consumption is an average of 15.5 cups a daily for men and 11.5 cups of water for women.
If you’re wondering how to be healthier, drinking water every day can help. You will notice several benefits, including:
Promotes Cardiovascular Health
Regular physical activity overworks your heart, which can lead to dehydration. When you’re hydrated your heart can pump blood more easily, allowing muscles to work even better. When your body is dehydrated your blood volume lowers, which causes your heart to work harder and faster to ensure the rest of your body has oxygen. This can lead to several issues such as heart attack, stroke and other heart conditions. If you’re looking for an easy way to keep your heart healthy, drinking the recommended daily water intake can help.
Regulates Body Temperature
Drinking enough water helps maintain your internal body temperature. During physical activity or in hot weather, your body loses water through sweating. Sweating keeps your body cool but your body temperature will rise if you don’t replenish with water. Ensure a healthy lifestyle by drinking plenty of water.
Increases Energy and Brain Function
If you’re looking to improve your cognitive performance, studies show hydration plays a crucial role in how well the brain functions. Not drinking enough water can negatively affect your focus, mood, alertness & memory and can cause issues with anxiety and overall brain performance. Hydration may also help activate your metabolism. This is because water increases satiety. Studies found that drinking about 500 milliliters of water before and during meals boosted the metabolic rate by 30% in both men and women.
Helps Excrete Waste
Food, beverages and environmental contaminants produce toxins which your body takes in every day. Proper hydration helps cleanse the body when sweating, urinating and during bowel movements. Drinking plenty of water helps organs, like your kidney, filter waste, making you feel more energized and refreshed.
Can Help Prevent and Treat Common Conditions
When your body is hydrated, common health conditions like colds, the flu, headaches and constipation can all be combated. When you are ill, your body is working hard to fight off bacteria and repair itself. By drinking enough water you can improve your recovery time and feel better faster. Water can also help your body absorb nutrients, vitamins and minerals from the food you eat.
Even mild dehydration can affect energy levels, focus, mood and more. If you suffer from a heart condition, are overweight or are 50 years or older, it’s a smart idea to take extra precautions and discuss your daily water intake with your physician. If you’re wondering how to be healthier, the local, reputable cardiologists at AMS Cardiology are here to help you. Contact us today at 215-517-1000 to schedule an appointment.
