What are the benefits of drinking more water?
By Dr Martina Pirklova
Dip Imp Dent RCS (Eng). Level 7 Certificate in Injectable Aesthetic Non-Surgical Interventions
The human body is made up of 60% water and loses between two and three litres of it every day. To remain healthy, we need to make sure we replace those lost fluids by drinking the same amount (sorry, but that doesn’t include drinks like tea and coffee!).
Water is essential to help the kidneys and other parts of the body function. It also helps dehydrated skin which helps to avoid wrinkles!
Achieving optimal hydration can lower the chance of a stroke, help manage diabetes, and potentially reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. No matter what, getting the right amount of liquid makes a world of difference in how you'll feel, think, and function day to day.
15 great reasons to drink more water
1. Water helps lubricate your joints and helps to avoid joint pain.
2. Water forms saliva and mucus which helps you digest food and keep your mouth, nose, and eyes moist.
3. Water helps to deliver oxygen throughout your body (your blood is 90% water).
4. Staying hydrated helps increase elasticity in your skin, keeping it moisturised for longer. Heightened elasticity in the skin helps delay age-related sagging and reduces the premature appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
5. Skin looking puffy? You’re probably dehydrated. Your body retains water to protect you from dehydration. This occurs when you don’t drink enough water. Staying hydrated will reduce swelling and puffiness in your face.
6. When your body gets hot, water comes to the surface of the skin as sweat, causing you to become dehydrated putting strain on the body. Remaining hydrated with water helps your body regulate its temperature. And if you get a little sunburnt, drinking water can speed up the healing process (although I don’t recommend getting burnt in the first place – remember your sunscreen!).
7. Drinking plenty of water helps maintain a healthy gut and aids proper digestion. It regulates your bowel movements, and flushes toxins from your body through urine and faeces. Only when this process is smooth and your gut is healthy, your skin will remain clear and free of issues.
8. Drinking enough water helps your body flush out toxins while giving you healthier skin. Drinking just two cups of water can increase blood flow to the skin which gives it an even tone.
9. Drinking ample water balances the oil and water content of the skin of your face. This helps to prevent excess oil and sebum secretion, which means fewer clogged pores and acne. Adult acne is getting more common these days due to busy lifestyles, lack of hydration and face masks. A recent study revealed that 4-6 people out of 100 in the age groups of 20-40 have adult acne.
10. When you are dehydrated, your airways become restricted by the body in an effort to minimise water loss. This can make asthma and allergies worse.
11. Minerals and nutrients dissolve in water, making them easily accessible to different parts of the body.
12. Your kidneys are crucial to help regulate fluid in the body. Insufficient water in your system can lead to kidney stones and other kidney damage.
13. Drinking water whilst exercising may help to enhance your performance by keeping hydrated from water lost through sweat.
14. Drinking water can actually help with weight loss! Drinking water instead of sugary drinks is a much healthier option and drinking water before meals can help to create a feeling of fullness and reduce over-eating.
15. Alternating water with alcoholic drinks on a night out (or a night in!) is a great way to avoid a hangover. Alcohol dehydrates the body. Excessive dehydration is the main reason you feel so rough the morning after the night before – avoid that feeling by keeping hydrated on the night.
How much is enough water?
The recommended amounts of water that you should be drinking is 3.7 litres for men and 2.7 litres of water for women. This includes any beverages, fruits and vegetables you drink with high water content.
But, in hot weather or when taking part in active sports or physical activity where you sweat a lot, you will need to drink more. Taking a long flight (chance would be a fine thing!) also dehydrates you which can lead to cramps and blood clots, so make sure your drink plenty of water then too.
From preventing premature aging to giving you plumper, younger looking skin, water is the magic ingredient that can resolve a host of skin issues. Make drinking the required amount of water a part of your daily routine. Your skin will thank you for it.
Dr Martina Pirklova is the owner of REclinic, a luxury facial aesthetics and cosmetic treatments clinic based in the picturesque village of Stratton Audley, just outside of Bicester in Oxfordshire. At REclinic we are passionate about delivering unique, bespoke patient-centred cosmetic treatments within state-of-the-art clinical premises. Our number one goal is to deliver natural-looking and subtle results, tailoring procedures for facial rejuvenation to meet each client’s individual needs and circumstances alongside a five-star service. Find out more about our qualifications and treatments on our website: https://www.reclinic.co.uk/
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