5 Ways Drinking More Water Can Improve Your Health!

So, what’s the secret to good health and ageing gracefully? No prizes for guessing, it’s good old H2O! Yes indeed, drinking more water is the key to improving your health, increasing your metabolism and keeping your skin looking fabulous for longer. How much water you drink plays a huge role in your health yet most of us forget to stay hydrated on a daily basis. While many of us think that 8 glasses of water is the standard daily quota to aim for, according to nutritionist and wellness coach, Lisa Raleigh, this is not a one-size-fits-all rule. Raleigh recommends consuming a minimum of one glass (250ml) for every 10 kilos of body weight. We challenge you to drink more water starting today and if you’re still not convinced here are 5 awesome ways that hydrating can help improve your health!

1. It powers your workout

If you’re dehydrated, both your workouts, and your health, will suffer. Staying hydrated before a run or gym session will give you more energy during your workout. Of course, don’t forget that you will also need to replace the fluids you sweat out during your workout session. To figure out how much fluid you lost simply weigh yourself before and after your workout, without drinking anything in between. For every 0.45 kilograms of water weight lost, replace it by drinking about 500mls of water.

2. It increases your metabolism

Water also boosts your calorie burning capabilities when you’re sitting still! While water is calorie-free, just like any food or liquid you consume, your body has to work to process it. Which means, you’re burning calories by simply drinking more water. Research shows that by increasing your water intake by 1.5 litres per day you can increase your daily calorie burn by about 200 calories.

3. It helps curb hunger pangs

It’s not about the idea that water makes you feel full, but rather the fact that drinking water when you’re craving a snack binge will help you pinpoint your hunger level and possibly stop the binge in its tracks. Often we think we’re hungry, but we’re actually misinterpreting hunger as thirst – believe it or not, many of the feelings associated with being hungry – such as an empty, gurgling stomach, low energy levels, and even light-headedness – also strike when you’re running low on water.

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4. It boosts your energy levels

When your energy levels are up, you are able to workout harder, beat cravings, and be more likely to get stuff done at work and at home. Dehydration is often confused for fatigue and water keeps your cells firing, your muscles fed with oxygen, and your brain focused on working towards your health goals. Next time you’re trying to make it through a 3 o’clock slump reach for a glass of water instead of a cup of coffee or a can of coke for a caffeine or sugar fix.

5. It improves the appearance of your skin

Drinking loads of water kick starts the detoxification process and helps give you a clearer complexion. Women who drink loads of water have a more glowing and hydrated skin and a hydrated skin is a younger looking skin. Skin that is hydrated tends to look more tired and is more prone to signs of ageing. Drinking your daily fill of water will help your skin fend off wrinkles and age gracefully over time – it’s pretty much the fountain of youth ladies!