As a society, we are chronically dehydrated. We often neglect ourselves from getting the proper amount of hydration which can cause various health issues. We often ignore the benefits that drinking water can have on our bodies and our well-being, causing us to become dehydrated. Instead of consuming the water we need for our bodies to function properly, we often rush to drink flavored beverages, soda, Gatorade, etc. Many studies show that there are a number of benefits of drinking a gallon of water a day.
The Effects of Dehydration
Dehydration is when water intake does not surpass the amount of water that leaves the body. Symptoms of dehydration include headaches, constipation, lethargy, dry skin, and persistent thirst. When our bodies are dehydrated, we are unable to rid ourselves of the toxins that we get from the food we consume. More importantly, staying hydrated supports the functioning of our organs.
Benefits of Drinking a Gallon of Water a Day
Studies show that if people drank about a gallon of water a day, they would see changes to their health and well-being. It is important to mention that everyone’s body is different. The amount of water you need to consume on a day-to-day basis depends on your location, metabolism, size, and amount of activity.
Here is a list of the benefits of drinking a gallon of water a day:
1. Helps Regulate Bodily Function
Hydration is critical for maintaining your body temperature. During physical activity, or in warm environments, your body loses water through sweat. Body temperature will rise if you do not consume the water that was lost. Also, water is known to help make sure that saliva is produced at an optimal rate which prevents dry mouth. Water is also essential for digestion. Water aids in breaking down foods in order for your body to absorb the nutrients.
2. Improves Brain Health
The brain is arguably the most important organ in our bodies. The brain coordinates and controls actions and reactions. Our brains enable us to have feelings and memories. Studies show that drinking water balances chemical processes in the brain, which can be known to regulate stress and anxiety. People who drink a gallon of water a day admit to seeing positive changes in their moods and having more energy.
3. Aids Weight Loss
As mentioned above, drinking water increases your metabolism and therefore aids in weight loss. One study of overweight individuals posted by healthline found that “those who drank half a liter of water before their meals lost 44% more weight than those who didn’t.”
4. Decreases Bloating
Bloating occurs for a variety of different reasons. Primarily, bloating happens when the GI tract is filled with air or gas as a result of something as simple as the food we consume. Drinking water can help reduce bloating by ridding the body of any excess sodium that is present in the foods we eat.
5. Supports Our Immune System
By drinking a lot of water, our bodies are able to fight off infections by removing toxins from the body. In addition, water also prevents toxins and bacteria from developing that may cause an illness in the future.
6. Clears Up Skin
Many people admit that when they drink water they notice a difference in their skin. This is because water aids in flushing toxins out of our bodies, which leads to healthier skin. Also, water increases blood flow which helps give your skin an even tone.
7. Helps With Muscle Fatigue
Water is known to be beneficial in speeding up the recovering time and ridding ourselves of the soreness. Secondly, Water helps your muscles become more energized and therefore allows you to perform at a higher level. Without the right amount of water, your body is deprived of the electrolytes needed to maintain balance. In addition, water provides the necessary fluids to protect your joints, which may lead to muscle or joint injuries.
Tips for Drinking a Gallon Of Water a Day
You may be thinking to yourself that drinking a gallon of water a day is a hard task. To be honest, it is not the easiest, especially if you don’t already consume a lot of water. After reading the above benefits of drinking a gallon of water a day, I promise you that it is worth it. After drinking a gallon of water a day for the past month, I can assure you that I have seen nothing but positive changes in my health. I wanted to share some tips for drinking a gallon of water a day that has made the process easier for me.
1. Order a gallon water bottle from Amazon
This water bottle has become my best friend. I take the bottle with me everywhere I go. Whether it is to the mailbox, on errands, appointments, etc, it is always right by my side. As you can see, the water bottle has time indicators with little motivational phrases. I made sure to stick to the times that were on the bottle to make sure I was sticking to a schedule.
2. Set reminders on your phone
I highly suggest setting reminders on your phone to alert you when to drink water. As we know, it is easy to forget to drink water throughout the day as we are often distracted by our busy lives. Setting these reminders will encourage you to drink water at that moment.
3. Add a flavor to your water
We all know that plain water can taste boring, which will prohibit you from drinking it in large amounts. I found adding a few slices of lemon, oranges, cucumbers or lime has helped. I have also added a few options of water flavorings below that are available on Amazon.
4. Just stick to it
I am not denying that drinking a gallon of water a day can be hard at times. Personally, there were a few times where I was struggling to make sure that the full gallon was consumed every day. When I noticed I was behind on my water intake schedule, I was hard on myself. However, I always reminded myself of all of the amazing health benefits that were to come. I knew that drinking this amount of water was going to be a lifestyle change. Without a doubt, I can say that despite the struggle I faced at times, it is 100% worth it.
Final Thoughts:
As we known, water is essential for good health. It is time to stop neglecting ourselves from receiving the proper amount of hydration that our bodies need. Please take the benefits and tips I have listed above and make a change. I challenge you to take on this journey of drinking a gallon of water a day. Even if you decide to drink a gallon of water a day for a week, a month, or longer, you will see a massive change in your bodies and health.
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