7 ways water can boost your inner engine

04/03/2015 Sidrah Ahmad

Think of your body as a top of the range sports car with a powerful engine, and water as your fuel – premium unleaded. You want to keep your luxury ride running in top shape and 'keep the tank full', right? Then you need to give it what it wants to handle the everyday demands on it.

Our bodies consist of up to 60% water – no wonder they crave it! And if you're pushing your body through exercising, training for a marathon, or if you're pregnant, it's even more important to make sure your 'tank is full', with the recommended eight 250ml glasses of water (or 2 litres) each day.

Since water is what we crave and need, we talked to the pros and they reminded us that, even if you’re not engaged in physical activity, your body still looks to water to refuel and keep you going throughout the day. They told us of 7 ways that water can give your inner engine a powerful boost:

Water Helps You To Lose Weight

One of the most sought after health benefits of water is that it can help to regulate body weight. According to Body and Soul, drinking water may suppress the appetite: “A US study found people who drank two glasses of water before they ate a meal ate 75 to 90 fewer calories during that meal.” By drinking water before tucking in when we feel hungry, we’re able to eliminate those excess calories from our diets. A perfect aid for getting in shape for spring and summer! All hail water!

Water Reduces Fatigue

One of the greatest health benefits of drinking water is that it can help you to feel more energised. According to The Centre of Health, water helps to hydrate the body and lower blood pressure, so that it doesn’t have to work so hard to circulate blood. Our blood consists mainly of water, so even mild dehydration can cause it to thicken and force the heart to pump harder to keep the circulation going.

Water Flushes Toxins

If you’ve ever been pregnant before, there is little need to elaborate on the woes of constipation. Similarly, a diet lacking in fibre can also clog you up and make it difficult to 'go'. Antonio Pizarro, MD, stresses the importance of water in improving bowel motility and urinary symptoms: “Improved water intake can reduce the effects on the bladder of irritants like caffeine or acidic foods. When being treated for constipation, water can be a part of the solution by making stools softer.” Drinking adequate water also helps to flush toxins that can cause kidney stones, bladder stones, and urinary tract infections.

Water Eases Bloating

No doubt, bloating is one of the most uncomfortable feelings ever. Marilyn Glenville, nutritional therapist, says that even though you´re puffed up, you have to drink: “not drinking actually makes fluid retention worse, in the same way that crash dieting makes the body hang on to fat because it thinks it's starving.” Go for water or herbal tea and avoid gas-making fizzy drinks to feel relief.

Water Reduces Headaches

The glass of water you take with your aspirin when your head is pounding is medicine, too! There are many different kinds of headaches; some are lifestyle related, like poor diet, stress and dehydration. It is important to keep the body hydrated so that it doesn´t have to work so hard to keep the circulation going.

Water Strengthens Your Immune System

It's a fact that water plays a huge part in keeping you healthy. Christina K. Major, holistic nutritionist and naturopathic doctor, explains why your immune system depends on good hydration: “when you are dehydrated, your lymphatic system does not flow freely. This slows down your ability to fight off colds and the flu. Water also thins out the mucus in your nose and digestive system so bacteria and viruses can't enter your system easily.”

Water Content In Food

According to Better Health Victoria the body can get approximately 20% of its required water consumption through food. Foods that are comprised mostly of water, like cucumbers, spinach, tomatoes, strawberries and watermelon (to name a few), provide us with more minerals to help us retain the water that we consume.