Health Article – The Importance Of Drinking Water

Water is an important part of our bodies, which consist of up to 60% water. In fact, the brain alone is made up of 73% water, the lungs are 83%, and even bones contain some amount of water. Despite all this, many people take it for granted, not drinking even close to the adequate amount of water needed for bodily functions to take place properly.

Most people have heard the recommendation of drinking 8 glasses a day, but every day you lose water through perspiration and trips to the bathroom. This brings the actual amount close to a few glasses above 8 depending on your activity throughout the day. About 20% of our water intake comes from food and many foods such as spinach, cantaloupe, pineapple and of course watermelon bring this number to about 90% on average.

Despite all this, water also has additional benefits that you may not already know about or realize.

Boost Your Brainpower
As mentioned before, the brain is 73% water, so water is important for cognitive performance. Studies have shown that people performing simple tasks are more efficient at them if they drink water beforehand, both adults and children.

But you don’t have to have drunk the appropriate amount of water every day for your whole life to experience the benefits. Drinking a glass of water while working or studying for a test can help you focus and think faster.

Water deprivation can also cause headaches and is one of the most common causes of headaches and migraines, and these problems can be solved by simply drinking a glass or two of water if you’re experiencing them.

Weight Loss
Believe it or not, water actually helps with weight loss. Drinking water boosts the number of calories you burn, and in itself, contains zero calories. Drinking water is also shown to reduce appetite. A person might think they’re hungry, but in truth, they are actually thirsty, and this “hunger” can disappear by just drinking a glass of water.

Because it contains zero calories, drinking water when you feel hungry may satisfy your appetite, while also helping you lose weight. Drinking just 0.5 liters of water resulted in 4.4 lbs per year of weight loss in one study.

Many of our calories come from sweetened beverages such as soda or tea, replacing these beverages with water (which has no calories), can cause weight loss if you are a drinker of these beverages. Without water, the body is unable to metabolize carbohydrates or fat, which results in weight gain. Drinking more water can help speed up this process, causing weight loss.

Stops Diseases
One of the most important benefits of drinking water is it’s role in stopping diseases and health ailments. These include kidney stones, asthma, urinary tract infections, coronary heart disease, and even cancer. Dehydration shrinks your cornea, stops the blood supply to your eyes, causing impaired sight and swelling. There’s also a risk of blood clots that can be developed by not drinking enough water.

Water also helps reduce fever by getting rid of the “heat” in your body, and as mentioned before helps you reduce weight, which comes with it’s added benefits in preventing diseases. Water is one of nature’s most essential drinks, but most people don’t care to get the right amount, or don’t drink proper water that is filtered from a tap, and instead choose bottled water or regular tap water that contains toxins.

So, next time you walk by your nearest source of water, grab a glass and enjoy the most important beverage you will ever drink.

About me:

My name is Saran Ramesh. I am an 11th-grade student (School Year 2018/19) in Freedom High School who is interested in creative writing. 

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