“The human body heals itself and nutrition provides the resources to accomplish the task.”
– Roger Williams
Did you know our bodies are composed of roughly 60% water, give or take.
- Brain and heart are composed of 73% water
- Lungs are composed of 83% water
- Skin contains 64% water
- Muscles and kidneys contain 79% water
- Bones contain 31% water
Has anyone ever told you to drink eight 8-ounces of water per day? There is little science behind the 8×8 rule but staying hydrated is critical for your health. Obviously, humans must consume a certain amount of water to survive. How much each individual consumes will vary based on age, gender and where someone lives.
Image source- Water Helps to Maximize Physical Performance
- Losing as little as 2% of your body’s water content can significantly impair physical performance.
- Athletes tend to lose up to 6 to 10% of their water via sweat potentially leading to altered body temperature control, reduced motivation, increased fatigue and make exercise feel more difficult both physically and mentally.
- Hydration Has a Major Effect on Energy Levels and Brain Functions
- Your brain is strongly influenced by hydration status.
- Mild dehydration (fluid loss of 1-3%) can impair energy levels and mood and lead to major reductions in memory and brain performance.
- Drinking Water May Help to Prevent and Treat Headaches
- Dehydration can trigger headaches and migraines in some individuals.
- Drinking water can sometimes help relieve headaches symptoms.
- Drinking More Water May Help Relieve Constipation
- Increasing fluid intake is often recommended as a part of the treatment protocol for infrequent bowel movements.
- Drinking Water May Help Treat Kidney Stones
- Higher fluid intake increases the volume of urine passing through the kidneys, which in turn dilutes the concentration of minerals potentially reducing the chance for crystals to form and create clumps.
- Water Helps Prevent Hangovers
- Alcohol is a diuretic and makes your lose more water than you take in. Drinking water can help reduce some of the main symptoms of hangovers.
- Drinking More Water Can Help With Weight Loss
- Water can increase satiety and boost your metabolic rate.
- Drinking water half an hour before your meal will make you feel more full and so you consume fewer calories.
We have written more articles related to hydration for the summer months:
- How Much Water Should You Drink per Day?
- Hydration Levels for Peak Athletic Performance
- Health Benefits of Flavored Water + Recipes
- Water Rich Foods
These are just a few suggestions to help you live your best life. We believe in treating the whole person with a holistic approach and blend our knowledge and training of movement, nutrition, massage therapy and traditional chinese medicine.
We love teaching mindful movement and even during this time, we are here to support you in your journey to wellness by offering online remote training from anywhere in the world. Contact us today to get started and learn to move with less pain and greater ease. We look forward to answering your movement questions and/or concerns.
Feel free to check out our blog posts specific to pilates, pre/post natal, bone building for osteoporosis/osteopenia, mindful meditation, restorative yoga therapy, partner and endurance training.
Medical Disclaimer: You should also see your doctor and/or nutritionist if you think you may be deficient in specific nutritional vitamins. They can help determine what’s causing your symptoms and, if needed, recommend ways to balance your daily vitamin intake.