Water forms a major part of our body constitution. Our bodies are estimated to be made up of 60-70 percent water; everything in our system depends on it for our emotional and physical health.
Our body needs water to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to all our organs. Water also transports oxygen to our cells, removes waste, and protects our joints and organs.
We can usually gauge whether or not we are drinking enough water in the first instance by our skin. Dewy, radiant skin is one of the results of drinking the right amount of water on a regular basis. Staying properly hydrated removes all the toxins that build up in the skin and keep it fresh and helps prevent it from drying out. If you find that you have puffy bloated skin, check your water intake. When skin doesn’t get enough water it retains what it already had, causing puffiness and dull looking skin.
During our day, we may find ourselves undergoing a slump in our ability to concentrate. Before reaching for a chocolate bar it may be worth seeing if we have had enough water to drink. Research has shown that the right amount of water is vital for our concentration; if we do not drink enough, our concentration level can drop by 20%. In addition to this, a lack of water can cause mild to excessive thirst, fatigue, headaches, muscle weakness and dizziness.
So how much water should we drink a day? If we have a healthy diet, around 20 percent of our daily recommended intake will come from that, but it has been said that a person of good health should aim to drink 6-8 glasses a day. If you aren’t in the habit of drinking water daily, don’t fret. Start if you can with at least two glasses a day and build up from there. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, simply add a dash of lemon or lime to give it a bit of flavour!