What Happens When You Start Drinking More Water - Page 19

Bigstockphoto.com/Young attractive African American businesswoman drinking water as she sits at her desk typing information on a desktop computer

Did you know that if you simply feel thirsty then you’re probably already dehydrated? Staying properly hydrated is actually rather difficult; most people pay attention to consuming the right amount of calories, and only eating when they’re hungry (which is a good rule!) but only drinking once you’re thirsty could lead to dehydration. Water is a very powerful thing. There is a reason that people can survive long fasts so long as they drink plenty of water. Your organs need it more than they need nutrients from food, so perhaps you should start paying more attention to it. If you dedicate just a month to drinking enough water a day, you could notice some major differences in your life. Here is what happens when you start drinking enough water.

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You’ll retain water, at first

Don’t freak out! If you put on a few pounds when you first start drinking more water, don’t worry; you’re just retaining water because your body isn’t used to this fluid consumption yet. Your body will adjust, and you’ll lose the water weight.

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You lose weight

Often, dehydration can feel like hunger pangs, and we reach for a snack when zero-calorie water would have actually staved off our cravings for several more hours.

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Your headaches go away

A good amount of headaches are simply the result of dehydration. Drinking a glass of water once a headache has already begun isn’t very helpful, but maintaining proper hydration throughout the day can prevent it.

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You’ll be more flexible

Your bones need plenty of water to rebuild cartilage, and you need cartilage to protect your joints from impact. If you’re a runner, you especially can’t afford to skimp on your water intake. Drinking plenty of water will help your joints move with ease.

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You’ll be sharper

Water does a good job of carrying oxygen to your brain, which it desperately needs in order for you to be on your game. If you drink more water, you may notice you can find solutions to problems quicker.

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You’ll look younger

Your face (and all of your body, really) cannot maintain nice muscle tone if it’s dehydrated. And dehydrated skin is typically saggy, wrinkly skin. Drinking tons of water could help you look younger.

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You’ll detox better

Your organs that remove toxins from your body–like your liver and kidneys–do an even better job when properly hydrated. Proper hydration could help you fight off certain illnesses.

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You’ll boost your cardiovascular health

Drinking enough water actually helps regulate your blood pressure and acts as a natural blood thinner, meaning it can help prevent cardiovascular events like strokes and heart attacks.

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You’ll crave fewer sugary drinks

Often, when you think you really want a glass of juice, if you just chug a glass of water, the craving for the juice goes away. Slowly but surely, you will crave water instead of sugary drinks.

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Your hangovers will be so much milder

If you are a regular drinker, the symptoms of your hangovers will hit you a lot less if you drink a lot of water. Your face won’t look as exhausted the next day, you won’t feel as foggy, and your head won’t hurt as much.

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You may drink less caffeine

Often, dehydration manifests itself as fatigue, so you reach for coffee. But if you drink a tall glass of water when you feel tired, some of that head fog may go away, and you could perk up without the coffee.

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You will save money

Now that you’re drinking less coffee, you’re spending less money on your daily coffee habit! And that juice habit. If you have a good filter at home and a large jug, you can bring free water with you everywhere you go.

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You will exercise longer

If you’re not properly hydrated before working out, you’ll become tired and even more dehydrated quickly, which will cut your workouts short. If you give yourself plenty of water, then it can afford to sweat a little longer.

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You could prolong your life

Staying hydrated can actually reduce your risk of bladder and colon cancer. Getting enough water prevents buildup in these organs, keeping potentially cancerous toxins moving.

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You’ll poop easier

As an add-on to the last point, staying hydrated can prevent constipation. And we all know how unpleasant that is.

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Your clothes stay cleaner

Water doesn’t stain! Coffee, juice, smoothies and other beverages do. So you may see fewer stains on your clothes, tablecloths, and carpet.

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You could be more confident in bed

Dehydration causes dark, odorous urine, which can make the vagina more odorous. When you’re properly hydrated, your urine has nearly no smell at all, and your entire downstairs region may smell better.

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You’ll improve your friendships

If you’re grumpy all of the time, you may just be dehydrated! Not getting enough water can mess with your brain chemistry in a way that makes you unhappy.

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You can be that cool person

You know—the one who carries around that giant jug of water and makes everyone think, “Man, they’re so healthy. Good for them. They probably have their life together. I should be doing that.”