In a perfect world, we’d all be taking care of ourselves the way we should, with regular exercise, plenty of rest, and a balanced diet. In the real world, many of us barely have enough time to eat a meal sitting down much less stick to a fitness and nutrition plan. Still, letting certain things go for too long can have some serious consequences.
Take not drinking enough water, for example.
According to the Center for Disease Control, nearly half of all Americans don’t drink enough water, averaging less than 4 cups a day. And frequent dehydration can lead to a number of short and long term health issues. So if you’re one of the 43% who are drinking 4 cups of water a day, here are 5 reasons to up your intake starting today.
- Fatigue, a common symptom of even mild dehydration, occurs when your body cells and tissues do not get enough water. In turn, enzymatic activity slows down, which prevents the body from producing energy.
- Oftentimes, people confuse thirst for hunger and end up eating more than they really should, resulting in extra calories and weight gain. On the other hand, having a glass of water before a meal or when you’re craving a snack can make you feel full, so you eat less.
- Water is essential to ridding our bodies of waste and toxins. However, if you don’t drink enough water, those toxins can build up and result in constipation, which can lead to other digestive issues, such as gas, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, and even loss of appetite in extreme cases.
- Individuals who are often dehydrated are also at risk for hypertension. When your body lacks water, the brain signals the pituitary gland to secrete vasopressin, a substance that causes constriction of blood vessels, which causes blood pressure to increase.
- If you are prone to urinary tract infections and experience symptoms such as the frequent need to urinate but with little to no output, a burning sensation while urinating, and/or dark colored urine, you might need to increase your water intake.
Drinking more water is one thing, but what about the quality of your home water supply, city or well? If it’s not up to par, or if you’re simply not sure, contact Burton today to request an in-home water test along with more information about the multiple benefits of a home water filtration system.
