This year’s World Water Day is all about valuing water. At home, water can mean your health, hygiene, and productivity. In natural places, water can mean fun, beauty, and preservation. In cultural or religious places, water can mean a connection to community, creation, and yourself. Whatever water may mean to you, this day is dedicated to the value of water in your life and the important role that it plays. Today water is under threat because of the growing population, increasing demands of the agriculture industry, the impacts of climate change, and pollution. Understanding the value and importance of water will help us get one step closer to the protection and preservation of the world’s water.
Drinking water is not only important to keep you hydrated but it fuels your body to function properly and keeps you healthy. Nearly all of your body’s major functions are dependent on water. We lose water through natural processes such as breathing, perspiring, urinating, and bowel movements. For your body to function as best as possible it is important to continuously replenish your body’s water supply. Women should aim to drink around 11.5 cups of water each day while men should aim for 15.5 cups each day.
Water works in your body to keep you healthy and functioning properly. Water helps regulate your body temperature, protects your body organs and tissues, and moistens tissues in the eyes and mouth. Furthermore, your body uses water to help dissolve minerals and nutrients to make them accessible to your body, aids the kidney and liver in flushing out waste, and carries nutrients and oxygen to cells. Additionally, water helps the brain function optimally and keeps your cardiovascular system healthy.
Understanding why your water intake is important is the first step in increasing your water intake. To help increase your water consumption there are a few ways that you can help increase your intake. It is useful to keep a reusable water bottle or cup with you, this will help you stay hydrated even when you are on the go and keep water with you at all times. Aim to drink one glass of water right when you wake up to help you boost your alertness and start your day right. Flavoring or infusing your water with options like berries or cucumber is a healthy way to make water a little bit more interesting. Try to limit your consumption of other beverages like soda and coffee and replace them with water when possible. Furthermore, foods like lettuce, watermelon, cabbage, zucchini, and celery are all 90% or above of water making them healthy and hydrating options.
Your body is about 60% water and it uses water in all of its cells, organs, and tissues to regulate temperature and carry out other bodily functions. Water is a crucial part of overall health and wellness. Getting the proper amount of water each day will help you stay healthy, feel your best, and give you energy. Prioritizing water intake by drinking plenty of water throughout the day and supplementing hydration through the water found in fruits and vegetables is important to feeling your best and staying healthy.
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