9 Reasons To Drink Water That Have Nothing To Do With Being Thirsty

How much water people actually need to drink each day to keep their bodies hydrated is a controversial topic.You may have heard that you need to drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day, but the actual number depends on other factors.Your activity level, the climate you live in, and the amount of water you get from sources like fruits and vegetables all matter.

The good news is that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you don’t need to get into the hassle of counting cups as long as you make water your primary beverage, drink it when you’re thirsty and consume it at mealtimes.

But staying properly hydrated isn’t the only reason to drink water.When you drink enough water, this drink has other amazing effects on your body.Find out what this amazing elixir can do for you besides quenching your thirst:

1.It keeps the skin healthy at the cellular level

Water may not eliminate your acne or eczema, but it can work on a cellular level.Skin is made up of three layers: the outermost layer is the epidermis, then the dermis, and finally the subcutaneous tissue.According to the Mayo Clinic, if the outermost layer, the epidermis, is not hydrated enough, your skin loses elasticity and feels rough.

Some experts say that water in the body can help produce collagen, a protein that keeps skin plump and firm.

2.Water keeps joints healthy

A small study published in 2012 in the journal Medical Gas Research found that drinking hydrogen-rich water helped reduce pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis.For people who don’t have the disease, drinking water regularly can also help keep them healthy and comfortable.According to the CDC, this drink cushions the joints and keeps them lubricated.

3.Water helps to lose weight

There’s no doubt about it: water helps with weight loss more than any other beverage.Study after study has shown that water can help people burn fewer calories throughout the day and help them maintain a lower weight.A 2015 study found that during the experiment, participants who drank a pint of water before meals lost an average of nearly 10 pounds more than those who didn’t drink water before meals.This could be because your body’s hunger signals are often misinterpreted as thirst signals.

4.Water keeps you regular

If you can’t seem to have a bowel movement, consider increasing the amount of water you drink before taking a laxative.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says drinking water every day is important to keep bowel movements regular.This is just one of several core factors that support good digestion; others include eating a balanced diet, being rich in fiber and exercising regularly.

5.It helps relieve headaches

Aside from feeling thirsty, there’s an added benefit to staying hydrated: a common cause of headaches is actually dehydration (which could explain why your head hurts after a long night outside).

Researchers say that not drinking enough water can lead to a drop in blood volume.The New York Times reports that this causes less oxygen and blood to flow to the brain and dilation of blood vessels.Nerves in the brain send out pain signals, which are like distress signals alerting you that you need to hydrate.

Also, if you’re prone to migraines, try drinking a few extra glasses a day: studies have shown that drinking more water can help people reduce pain during severe headaches.

6.Water may help prevent cancer

Some of the causes of cancer are beyond your control, such as family history, gender and age.However, a healthy lifestyle can help prevent some cancers.

Some studies have shown that drinking a few glasses of water a day can reduce the risk of bladder cancer in men. A 2011 study found that men who drank more than 10 1/2 cups of water a day reduced their risk of bladder cancer by 24 percent over a 22-year period.Researchers believe that drinking plenty of water helps flush potential carcinogens out of the body before they have a chance to develop.

7.It also keeps you alert and focused

It might make you want to keep a glass of water on your desk: a 2012 study published by the British Psychological Society found that undergraduates who took exams with water got better grades than their classmates who didn’t.Researchers believe that taking small sips of water helps people stay hydrated and focused on the task at hand.

8.Water helps the heart to function properly

The heart is constantly working to pump blood into the blood vessels and muscles.Keeping the body well hydrated makes it easier for the heart to do this work, according to the American Heart Association.

9.H2O makes you happy and energized

A small study from 2015 suggests that water may help improve mood.Researchers studied 120 women and found that the more water they drank, the lower their levels of tension and depression and the happier their moods.

The study showed that even mild dehydration, where the body loses only 1.5 percent of its water, can cause irritability and a drop in energy levels.