There is nothing in this world more refreshing than a tall, ice-cold glass of water. I don’t think anyone can deny that sometimes a simple glass of water tastes better than a cup of coffee or a can of soda. However, most of us don’t drink enough water every day. By depriving ourselves of the most natural resource on Earth, we are constantly poisoning our bodies. If you experience any of the following, drinking a glass of H2O can improve your condition.
- Your mouth is dry
This may seem obvious, but the implications may not be. Of course, whenever you feel a sticky, unpleasant sensation in your mouth, you’re obviously craving some kind of liquid. But sugary drinks are a temporary solution to a bigger problem. Drinking water lubricates the lining of the mouth and throat, which moistens the oral cavity with saliva after the first sip.
- Your skin is dry
Your skin is your body’s largest organ, so it needs to be moisturized. In fact, dry skin is one of the first signs of complete dehydration, which can lead to more serious problems. A lack of water means a lack of sweat and the inability to wash excess dirt and fat accumulated throughout the day from the body. If you want to prevent acne breakouts, the first step is to drink more water.
- You are extremely thirsty
We’re already dry-mouthed, but the passion outshines the language of the desert. Anyone who has ever had a hangover can tell you that when you wake up, your body can’t get enough water. Alcohol dehydrates the entire body, and drinking water is a “YES PLEASE!” A signal is sent to the brain until fluid levels return to baseline. Listen to what your body is telling you; know what you are talking about!
- Your eyes are dry
It should be clear that drinking water does not affect your mouth or throat. Dehydration can lead to dry eyes and strokes (think back to your last big hangover). Without water in your body, your tear ducts dry up. If you ask, “So what if I can’t cry?” If you think so. If you wear contact lenses every day, be aware that they can cause more damage to your eyes.
- You feel joint pain.
About 80% of our cartilage and spinal discs are water. This is very important so that our bones do not break with every step. Keeping your body hydrated will help your joints absorb the shock of sudden movements like running, jumping, and awkward falls.
- Muscle mass is decreasing.
Your muscles are mostly made up of water. Less water in the body means less muscle mass. Drinking water before, during, and after exercise not only keeps you hydrated and comfortable, but it also gets water to the right places in your body, reducing the likelihood of inflammation and soreness associated with exercise and weight lifting.
- You are sick for a long time
Drinking water allows you to constantly flush toxins from your body. Your organs are like machines that filter out some of our waste, but if you don’t fill the machine with water, it can’t function properly. What happens in a dehydrated body is that your organs begin to draw water from stored areas like your blood, which leads to a whole new set of problems.
- You feel tired
As we just mentioned, when your body is dehydrated, it “borrows” water from your blood. Lack of properly hydrated blood leads to lack of oxygen. Of course, lack of oxygen leads to drowsiness and immediate fatigue. Lack of stamina means you’ll start feeling this crash at 2pm throughout the day (and remember, coffee doesn’t last long).
- You will feel hungry.
When you’re dehydrated, your body begins to think it needs food. It happens during the day and at night when you wake up in the middle of the night with the urge to eat a snack. However, eating food creates additional work for your body, while drinking water cleanses your organs and provides fuel for other bodily processes.
- Digestive problems
Earlier we talked about mucus and hydration in the mouth and throat to ensure normal membrane function.
It covers the entire digestive system.
Without adequate hydration, the volume and strength of stomach mucus decreases, allowing stomach acid to wreak havoc on your insides.
This leads to what we commonly call heartburn and indigestion.
- You are constipated.