- Our bodies are said to
be roughly about 60% water,
which is why staying hydrated
is so important for health.
In this video we'll look
at four evidence-based
health benefits of
drinking plenty of water.
It's commonly recommended
that you drink eight,
eight-ounce glasses of water a day,
also known as the eight by eight rule.
Now, while there is little scientific
evidence behind this rule,
we should also be drinking more water
to stay healthy and hydrated.
Hydration has a major effect on
energy levels and brain function.
Our brain is strongly
influenced by hydration status.
In fact, studies show that
even mild dehydration,
of one to three percent of body weight
can severely impair brain function.
Studies of both young women and men
found that fluid loss of 1.36% up to 1.57%
is detrimental to mood, concentration,
working memory, and increases fatigue.
A one to three percent fluid loss
equals about 1.5 to 4.5 pounds,
or 0.5 to two kilos of body weight loss
for a 150 pound or 68 kilogram person.
This can easily occur through
normal daily activities,
let alone during exercise or high heat.
Many other studies, ranging
from children to the elderly,
have shown that mild
dehydration can impair mood,
memory, and brain performance.
Drinking water may help to
prevent and treat headaches.
Dehydration can trigger headaches
and migraines in certain individuals.
Studies show that drinking more water
can help relieve these headaches.
One study of 18 people found that
water had no effect on the
frequency of headaches,
but do reduce the intensity
and durations of them.
Drinking more water may
help relieve constipation.
Constipation is a common problem,
characterized by infrequent
and difficult bowel movements.
I'm not embarrassed to talk about it.
Low water consumption appears
to be a risk factor for
constipation in both young
and elderly individuals.
This is why increasing fluid
intake is often recommended
as a part of the treatment protocol.
Carbonated water shows
particularly promising
results for constipation relief,
although the reason is
not entirely understood.
Drinking more water can
help with weight loss.
The main reason it can
help you lose weight
is because more water
helps you to feel full,
so that you eat fewer calories.
Drinking water a half an hour before meals
appears the most effective.
In one study, dieters who
drank half a liter of water
before meals lost 44%
more weight over a period
of twelve weeks.
It's thought that cold water
may be even more beneficial
because the body must
use traditional energy
to heat the water to body temperature.
So I've really only
scratched the surface here,
because studies show that
drinking more water is
beneficial for improving
exercise performance,
helping to treat kidney stones,
preventing hangovers, and much more.
The benefits are even
greater when you replace
sugary beverages with water.
It's a very simple way
to cut back on sugar
and added calories, so drink up.
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