We’re often told how important water is to our health, but do we really understand why it is so, and what the consequences are for not drinking enough of it?
Your Overall Health
Water impacts your overall health in multiple ways simply by preventing dehydration. When your body is dehydrated, you may suffer from
- Fatigue & exhaustion
- Mental fog or headaches
- Allergies or asthma
- Higher cholesteral
- Skin disorders
- Digestive disorders
- Joint pain or stiffness
Your Dental Health
With all the health reasons above to drink water, it shouldn’t be a question, but what about your dental health? Did you know that drinking water with fluoride can prevent cavities?
What about a cleaner mouth? Drinking sports drinks, sodas or juice can leave behind unwanted sugar, causing more tooth decay. However, satisfying your thirst with water actually cleans your mouth by washing away additional food particles and dilutes the acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth. It doesn’t replace brushing your teeth, but it will help in staying cavity-free.
One of your best defenses in fighting tooth decay is the saliva produced by your mouth. Saliva keeps your teeth strong by washing them with calcium, phosphate, and fluoride, but when you are not drinking enough water, you can begin suffering from dry-mouth.
No one likes stained teeth. Opting to drink water instead of coffee, tea, colored juices, or red wine can help keep your teeth white and lustrous. And when you do opt for a drink that discolors teeth, drinking water after can help wash away staining ingredients.
Have a Daily Water Goal
Have a Daily Water GoalRecommendations for how much water your body requires can come directly from your doctor, but most sources recommend taking ½ your weight and drinking that much in ounces.
So next time you’re feeling thirsty, it may just be a big glass of water that your body is craving. Try replacing that soda with water for a week and see how different you feel.
