7 Wonders of Water
Stay Slimmer With Water
Trying to lose weight? Water revs up metabolism and helps you feel full.
Replace calorie-filled beverages with water, and drink a glass before meals to help you feel fuller.
Drinking more water helps amp up metabolism - especially if your glass is icy cold. Your body must work to warm the water up, burning a few extra calories in the process.
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Water Boosts Your Energy
If you're feeling drained and depleted, get a pick-me-up with water. Dehydration makes you feel tired.
The right amount of water could help your heart pump your blood more effectively.
And water can help your blood transport oxygen and other essential nutrients to your cells.
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Lower Stress With Water
About 70% to 80% of your brain tissue is water. If you're dehydrated, your body and your mind are stressed. If you're feeling thirsty, you're already a little dehydrated.
Keep a glass of water at your desk or carry a sports bottle and sip regularly.
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Build Muscle Tone With Water
Drinking water helps prevent muscle cramping and lubricates joints in the body.
When you're well hydrated, you can exercise longer and stronger before "hitting the wall."
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Nourish Your Skin
Fine lines and wrinkles are deeper when you're dehydrated.
Drinking water hydrates skin cells and plumps them up, making your face look younger.
It also flushes out impurities and improves circulation and blood flow, helping your skin glow.
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Stay Regular With Water
Along with fiber, water is important for good digestion.
Water helps dissolve waste particles and passes them smoothly through your digestive tract.
If you're dehydrated, your body absorbs all the water, leaving your colon dry and making it more difficult to pass waste.
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Water Reduces Kidney Stones
The rate of painful kidney stones is rising. One of the reasons could be because people -- including children -- aren't drinking enough water.
Water dilutes the salts and minerals in your urine that form the solid crystals known as kidney stones.
Kidney stones can't form in diluted urine, so reduce your risk with plenty of water!
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Are You Drinking Enough Water?
Most healthy adults get enough to drink by letting their thirst guide them.
But the exact amount you need depends on your size, level of activity, the weather, and your general health.
You may need more water if you exercise or sweat heavily. Next page
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Sources Medically Reviewed on 02/28/2017 Reviewed by Minesh Khatri, MD on February 28, 2017
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SOURCES:
Boschmann, M. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, December 2003.
Gonzalez-Alonso, J. Journal of Applied Physiology, April 1, 1997.
KidsHealth: "Why Drinking Water is the Way to Go."
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: "What I Need to Know About Kidney Stones."
News release, UCLA Health System.
The World Bank Group: "Access to Safe Water."
USGS: "The Water in You."
UW Health: "The Benefits of Drinking Water for Your Skin."
Willett, W. Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy, Free Press, 2005.
Reviewed by Minesh Khatri, MD on February 28, 2017
This tool does not provide medical advice. See additional information.
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
