Drink to Your Health - The Whole-Body Benefits of Water

Before you reach for that sugary soft drink, consider this the next time you feel a little parched: Clean, pure water is essential to every function your body performs. Second only to the air you breathe in its vital importance, it makes up roughly two-thirds of your body. Deprived of it completely, you may not even survive a week. And even the mildest case of dehydration can cause fatigue, dizziness, headaches and muscle weakness. No wonder health experts are constantly telling us to drink more water.

Crucial to the body's cleansing processes, water lessens the burden on the organs involved in detoxification—mainly the liver and kidneys—by flushing out toxins and waste products. Drinking plenty of water each day also helps prevent constipation by moving food through the digestive tract. A necessary lubricant, it helps to ease elimination and promote regular bowel movements.

As part of a healthy weight loss program, water can help shed the pounds by increasing your metabolism. While the science behind this concept is the subject of ongoing research, studies have shown that drinking more water can significantly boost your metabolic rate and thus burn even more calories. Plus, drinking cold water can increase your metabolism even more, since the body must expend more energy to warm it up.

In addition to these important functions, water also helps to regulate body temperature through perspiration—as sweat evaporates, the body cools down. Water also carries necessary nutrients to the body's cells; surrounds and protects the joints, organs tissues; and moistens soft tissue such as that of the eyes, mouth and nose.

Everyday functions such as breathing, perspiring and elimination constantly deplete the body's supply of this vital liquid. Although advice varies as to how much water you should drink each day, a good rule of thumb is to drink at least half your body weight in ounces daily. Try to drink only pure water and avoid caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea, as well as sugary juices and soft drinks. If you need a splash of flavor in your water, add a spritz of fresh lemon or lime juice. Non-caffeinated herbal teas are also a delicious way to boost your water intake, and many fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of water.

Lifestyle differences such as frequent exercise, illness, environmental conditions (dry, hot, humid, high altitude, etc.), as well as pregnancy and breastfeeding will likely increase the amount of water your body needs, so it is important to be mindful of changes in your daily routine.