We always hear “drink water.” It could come from someone on social media reminding you to get your daily dose of hydration. It could be a friend telling you to make sure you swap your second cup of cold brew for some H2O when you’re struggling with that daily headache. But, have you ever wondered, is drinking water really that important? If you have, we’re here to break it down for you.

What drinking water does for you

First off, let’s bust that “eight glasses a day” saying. That is merely a suggestion and is actually not based on any scientific evidence. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t drink water. 

Drinking a good amount of water is beneficial to your overall health. We lose water each day from skin evaporation, breathing and by going to the bathroom. Thus, we must replace that lost water or face dehydration. 

Water and your body fluids

So when you drink water, you’re supporting the balance of your body’s fluids. Did you know our bodies are composed of 60% water? The body’s fluids help support your digestion, absorption, circulation, saliva, transportation of nutrients, and body temperature. Your body will actually respond to the need for fluids if you’re low. The brain will trigger your body’s thirst mechanism. Tune into those cues and pour yourself a cup of water!

Water and your workouts

Water also energizes our muscles. That’s why drinking enough water is so vital while exercising. The guidelines for water and exercise are as follows: 17 ounces of fluid about two hours prior to exercise. Then, during exercise, drink your fluids early in the workout and continue drinking regularly throughout to replace any fluids that you’ve sweated out. 

Water and your skin

And, what about your skin? Into that ten-step skincare routine you saw someone doing on TikTok? Here’s a tip: drink water! 

Your skin contains so much water that when you’re dehydrated, your skin will look dry and wrinkled. 

But wait, there’s more

Other benefits of water include helping your kidneys as they transport waste products in and out of cells. Water also helps your bowel function. 

How to make drinking water easier

So, how much water do you really need? Experts say to divide your weight in half. That’s the number of ounces you should sip down each day. 

Now that you’ve heard the facts, it’s time to up your water intake to get all these overall health benefits. 

To make that easier, make sure to keep a water bottle with you. There are so many environmentally friendly, reusable water bottles you can get to make bringing it around with you a bit more exciting. Add fruits and vegetables to your food intake, too, because these contain a lot of water. And try to have a glass of water with every meal or snack to keep better track of your fluid intake. 

Happy hydrating! Have any ways you keep on top of your water intake? Let us know on Instagram @venturacwc.