You might hear your trainer week after week asking you about how much water you have been drinking and thought to yourself, I know it's important to drink at least 2L of water per day but I don't really understand why.
Until you get a better understanding of how your body functions and why water is so invaluable, you will never fully grasp just how important it is!
- The Kidneys: The kidneys are an organ in our body responsible for the production or urea (urine we excrete). When you're dehydrated, wastes and toxins build up in the kidneys, often leading to increased protein levels that can cause problems such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney stones. Both of these problems can cause long-term kidney damage, minimizing their ability to remove wastes and keep you healthy.
- The Brain: Dehydration of 2% or more body mass loss can increase perception of fatigue, induce impairment in cognitive functions such as memory and attention, and alter mood. Even below 2% body mass loss fatigue appears, mood is altered, and several cognitive functions might be impaired
- Blood Pressure: The amount of blood circulating through your body, or blood volume, decreases when you are dehydrated. To compensate, your heart beats faster, increasing your heart rate and causing you to feel palpitations. Also your blood retains more sodium, making it tougher for it to circulate through your body.
- Bone Health: As your bones lose minerals and need to rebuild and strengthen, a lack of available calcium can lead to bone loss and eventually osteoporosis. Since water also helps rid the body of toxins, these substances can and do build up in the bones if there is not enough water to carry them away.
- The Skin: Water keeps your body hydrated and refreshed and helps maintain your skin's elasticity. People who drink large amounts of water are less likely to suffer from scars, wrinkles, and soft lines and they won't show as many signs of aging as those who drink little amounts of water.
