7 reasons why proper hydration is key to good health

Without water, it wouldn't take long for your body to shut down. And yet, for all its importance, most Americans aren't drinking enough. The National Institute of Health reports that 75% of the population is chronically dehydrated.

While most people drink enough water to survive, few are reaping the full benefits that come from being fully and properly hydrated. It just might hold the key to aches, pains, weight problems and even work performance issues.

Here are seven reasons why proper hydration is critical to your overall health.

Regulation of body temperature

Just as your car engine relies on coolant to prevent it from overheating, your body requires proper hydration to regulate your body temperature. According to a study published in ResearchGate, inadequate hydration can cause your body to retain heat. This is why optimal fluid intake is especially important when you are exercising.

"A higher body temperature can negatively affect athletic performance, mood, and cognitive function and may increase the risk of heat illness," the study said.

When you drink enough and supply your body with the right electrolytes, it boosts blood flow and your ability to sweat to cool yourself.

Transport of nutrients throughout the body

Water does more than just quench your thirst; It helps transport essential nutrients throughout your body.

"In addition to helping food break down, water also helps absorb vitamins, minerals and other nutrients from your food," writes Natalie Silver for Healthline. "It then distributes these vitamin compounds to the rest of your body for use."

Lubrication of joints

People who suffer from arthritis and joint pain may want to pay special attention to their fluid intake.

According to Healthline, water helps soften joints — something you definitely want if you suffer from arthritis.

Water can also help reduce inflammation by flushing out toxins. Reduced inflammation will reduce swelling and help relieve discomfort.

Digestion and metabolism

The most important part of a meal you eat at any restaurant is probably a free glass of water. In an article for the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Michael F. Picco says, “[D]Drinking water during or after a meal helps your body break down and process food (digestion)."

This process of breaking down food helps you absorb the nutrients you need - but drinking too much water can also prevent you from consuming things you don't.

A study in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics found that adults who drank just 1% more water than usual consumed fewer calories and reduced their overall intake of sugar, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.

Another study published in PubMed Central found that overweight women who drank more water before meals lost weight and lowered their body mass index.

Flushing out toxins

Without proper hydration, your body would have no way to flush out harmful toxins.

"Your kidneys do a wonderful job of cleaning and ridding your body of toxins as long as your fluid intake is adequate," says Dr. Steven Guest, an assistant professor of medicine at Stanford University, told WebMD.

He adds that you can tell if you're supplying your kidneys with enough fluid by looking at the color and smell of your urine. If it's light and odorless, you're drinking enough. Darker, smellier urine is a sign that your kidneys are trapping that extra fluid for other body functions.

Maintaining blood pressure

Hydration also plays a key role in maintaining normal blood pressure. The Cleveland Clinic says that losing water in your blood means you'll have a low blood volume. Which leads to a low blood pressure. Dr. Luke Laffin tells the Clinic, "In the simplest of explanations, you're just not filling the tubes enough for what your vascular system needs."

On the other hand, when the body tries to compensate for low blood pressure, it can actually overcorrect and cause high blood pressure.

By maintaining a healthy level of hydration, you can avoid these unpleasant changes in blood pressure.

Improving cognitive function

Improved cognitive function may be the most important yet overlooked benefit of proper hydration. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lists several different side effects associated with dehydration, including:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Short-term memory impairment
• Difficulty recalling long-term memories
• Impaired ability to perform simple arithmetic

OSHA also cited several examples of studies that showed the positive impact of hydration on brain functions. One study found that a group of people who drank more water did better on a test of visual attention, while those who didn't drink water did worse. Another study showed that young people who drank 200 ml of water were able to maintain focus and attention on a task longer than those who did not drink water.

Of course, proper hydration directly affects the brain, which directly affects performance. So it's not a stretch to suggest that hydration affects both your professional and personal life.

Feel your best with a hydration boost

Sometimes you may need a little extra help replenishing the fluids and nutrients your body needs for optimal health. Prime IV Hydration is a Utah company that offers a variety of IV drips, each formulated to address specific health concerns and promote overall wellness.

In addition to the benefits mentioned in the article above, Prime IV Hydration treatments aim to treat anti-aging, depression, migraines, weight loss and more.

To book an appointment, visit primeivhydration.com or call 385-383-6291 today.

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