The benefits of drinking 8 glasses of water a day

How much water should you drink each day?

This is a simple question with no easy answer.

Over the years, research has given us different recommendations, but each person's water needs depend on many factors, including your health, your level of activity and where you live. There is no single formula that works for everyone.

You may have also heard the advice: "Drink 8 glasses of water a day".

It's easy to remember and a reasonable goal, but most people stay hydrated by simply drinking water and other fluids when they feel thirsty. Some people may need less than 8 glasses a day, but others may need more.

Here are some of the benefits of drinking 8 glasses of water a day

Supports vital body functions

60% of the adult body is made up of water. As such, we rely on water for daily stomach digestion, blood circulation, saliva production, transport of nutrients and maintenance of body temperature.

Although it may seem simple, by drinking enough water throughout the day, it is possible to ensure that everything in our bodies is in optimum condition and functioning the way they should.

Muscular endurance

If your body doesn't have enough water, muscle fatigue is one of the side effects as your body is experiencing an imbalance of fluids. If you are in the habit of exercising daily, it is very important to stay hydrated so that your body is able to do everything that is required of it. Always remember to keep your sports water bottle with you to ensure that your body is constantly replenishing the water lost throughout your workout. Even if you don't go to the gym or exercise regularly, staying hydrated is fundamental as it can help prevent your muscles from feeling sluggish.

Kidney function

Our body's vital detoxification system is the kidneys. One of the main jobs of our kidneys is to help screen out waste products and transport urine to the bladder. Our kidneys therefore need a lot of water in order to be able to do this effectively. If there is not enough fluid passing through our kidneys, the minerals in this fluid can crystallise into clumps and form kidney stones. If this happens, it will greatly affect yourself and your family.

Of course, even if you drink plenty of water you will still get kidney stones, but staying hydrated will certainly help your body's systems to function the way they should and will also prevent any unwanted blockages from forming.

Eases digestion and improves circulation

Drinking water increases the fluid in your colon, which helps ease digestion and ensures that everything stays moving through your body the way it should.

Soothes joints

Those who deal with joint pain on a regular basis may want to consider increasing your daily water intake. When your body is well hydrated, it keeps your cartilage supple and helps your joints function properly. Some supplements for arthritis pain, such as glucosamine, work by helping cartilage absorb more water from the body. By simply increasing your daily water intake, you can help soothe joint pain without taking any artificial supplements.

Clears the skin

Drinking plenty of water will not reverse the ageing process, but it will help to provide your body with a steady supply of water again. This will help improve the overall clarity of your skin and also help your appearance. As toxins gradually build up in your body, it will cause inflammation, which often leads to red, dull, dehydrated and acne-prone skin.

Fortunately, by drinking enough water, this will be able to help flush these toxins out of our system and keep your skin balanced, clear, and well hydrated from the inside out.