Many people assume they are properly hydrated at all times. It seems like normal eating and drinking should be enough to take care of the body’s hydration needs. Unfortunately, that is quite often not the case. In our modern society, where beverages are often caffeinated or sugary, the amount of hydration people get is not sufficient for optimum health.
There are many benefits to hydration and those who have made the effort to increase their water consumption and felt the difference that proper hydration makes to their day to day life see the benefits. However, getting the motivation to change eating and drinking habits is difficult, and for this reason, many people continue to live life in a dehydrated and less than optimal state.
Proper Hydration has Many Benefits
These range throughout the body and can have a dramatic effect on a person’s life. The first of these benefits is that hydration fights fatigue. It seems that everyone is tired all the time these days, and that has many causes, but hydration can help. Properly hydrated cells complete the necessary enzymatic processes that ensure good sleep and system restoration, leading to greater energy throughout the day.
Hydration also works to reduce high blood pressure. At peak hydration, the blood is close to 92 percent water, which helps the blood move more effectively through the arteries and veins of the body, which helps minimize and prevent high blood pressure.
Hydration for Helping Allergies and Asthma Sufferers
Allergies and asthma can also be helped by proper hydration. Dehydrated bodies produce more histamine, the nitrous compounds that the body produces as part of the immune response. Too many histamines lead to congestion and difficulty breathing, as well as other allergic reactions. Hydrated bodies have fewer histamines in the system, delaying or minimizing the effects of allergies.
The skin especially benefits from being properly hydrated. Not only does hydrated skin look plumper and younger, but being hydrated leads to less acne, less psoriasis, and less overall blotchiness. The skin will look clearer and more radiant when the body is hydrated.
Cholesterol can be reduced by proper hydration. When the body is dehydrated, the body produces more cholesterol in order to keep the cells functioning properly. Simple water can help reduce the cholesterol count in the body.
The digestive system is one that relies on the water more than almost any other. Everyone probably knows that water is required for proper elimination. However, being fully hydrated can help reduce or even eliminate a number of ulcers, bloating, gas, and other digestive issues that people experience on a regular basis. Beyond these unpleasant conditions, proper hydration avoids constipation and keeps the metabolic system running at peak efficiency.
In a similar vein, proper hydration helps keep the kidney and bladder working effectively and flushes the bacteria out of those organs. This reduces the incidence of bladder and kidney infections.
Finally, water can speed up the repair of the joints and the cartilage in the body. The cartilage is primarily made of water and the joints will take more punishment from daily activities. By maintaining proper hydration, the joints stay plump and hydrated, allowing for a freer and more open range of movement in the joints as well as less pain. The joints repair more quickly after workouts or injury if they are properly hydrated.
For more information on how hydration can help bring you better health, visit Physio and More. The highly trained professionals at Physio and More can tailor a health and wellness regimen to any person’s specific needs.