Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Hydrate, STAT!
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It’s been H-O-T, HOT here in NYC this week and although the humidity finally broke, I’ve been finding myself feeling slightlyyyy dehydrated all week long. Although I never have trouble reaching my 8 glasses of water a day quota (I try to raise my glass at least once an hour for at least a few sips), lately, it hasn’t been enough and I’ve realized I’m feeling a bit parched a litttttle too late.
Although it’s important to stay adequately hydrated year-round, it’s especially vital during the summer months as temperatures and humidity are scorching! Many people underestimate the importance of hydration, so here are the top 10 reasons why you should hydrate, according to moi…((and science!))…
1. Your body is 50-60% water.
Water is fluid and moves around your body, in and out of various compartments, maintaining its 50 to 60 percent stake of your body composition. While your body does know how to adapt when you’re dehydrated, make it easy for yourself…Drink up!
2. Replace the water you lose.
Did you know that your body even loses water by breathing? In addition to sweating and going to the bathroom, if you were to sit in one spot all day, you’d still lose water! Mind. Blown! Your body doesn’t make water, so it’s essential to replace these losses by sipping frequently.
3. To keep your cool. And your friends.
Dehydration can lead to irritability, and well, no one wants to be around you when you’re cranky! Stay sipping so you don’t scare your friends away!
4. Keep things moving…
Your gut secretes and absorbs liters of fluid daily. If you don’t consume sufficient fluids, the contents in your gut won’t move as easily through the 20 feet of your colon. And you know what that means…
5. To raise your metabolism.
Rumor has it that sipping cold water can raise your calorie burn by about 100 calories per day! Over time, those extra burned calories can add up, so why not get yo drink on?!
6. To stay energized!
If you’ve ever been dehydrated, you know some of the tell-tale signs are fatigue and headaches. Keep your energy up by consistently sipping throughout the day.
7. To curb cravings.
It’s extremely common to mistake thirst for hunger. If you’re feeling the munchies, try reaching for a cold glass of water before you opt for a snack. If you’re still hungry, then satisfy your tummy rumble, but you may be surprised that all you needed was a tall drink of water!
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8. To boost your fruit and veggie intake. Believe it or not, most foods contain water, which can count towards your hydration quota for the day…almost 20% of your daily fluid needs to be exact! Cucumbers, celery, and melons are some of the most water-heavy produce.
9. Prevent brain fog.
You know that fuzziness that sometimes rolls around by 4-5pm? Prevent it by consistently sipping all day long! Our brains require oxygen to function properly and water is H2O, after all! Studies show that dehydration of 1 to 2 percent loss of body weight can impair alertness, concentration, and even short-term memory!
10. For glowing, healthy skin.
One of the simplest ways to get dewy, glowing skin, a la J. Lo, is from within, not the world’s best makeup artist (although I’m sure that doesn’t hurt either, ifyaknowwhatImean)! Radiant skin is achievable for us lay folks by staying hydrated because you will better transport nutrients and oxygen to your skin and flush away toxins that can lead to dullness.
What does sufficient sipping look like?!
In my opinion, that means at least those 8 glasses a day! But a better rule of thumb may be to drink half of your weight in fluid ounces of water. ((Of course, if you have any medical issues you should always check with your doctor before drastically altering your current fluid intake.)) So if you weigh 130 lbs, that’s 65 fluid ounces of water daily. This may seem like overload if you’re not used to raising your glass often, but remember, hydra-licious foods can count too, as well as unsweetened tea and coffee!
How do you spruce up your water to stay hydrated?!
XO