What Are Some Strategies to Maintain a Healthy Body Water Percentage?
How many times has your mom reminded you to watch your posture and to drink more water? And how many times have you actually listened to her? Well, if you haven't realized by now, she knew what she was talking about. Maintaining a healthy body water percentage is vital to your physiological processes. After all, our bodies are composed of up to 60% of water.
But is increasing our intake of fluids all there is to it? Join us as we debunk all the myths surrounding this topic, and maybe you'll learn a thing or two along the way. Let's get started!
Importance of Maintaining a Healthy Body Water Percentage
Water is essential for the proper functioning of our bodies — it helps hydrate our skin, regulates body temperature, aids in releasing toxins from our bodies, can affect our cognitive abilities, etc.
Body water is the total amount of fluid in the human body. The healthy water percentage can vary depending on age, gender, and weight, but it is always at least 50%. Did you know that for the first couple of months of an infant’s life, their body weight is three-quarters water? Of course, as you get older, that percentage decreases, but it’s still vital to try to maintain it within optimal limits.
This decline happens because we tend to accumulate more body fat as we age. As to where all this water is stored, science says that our brain and heart are 73% water, while our bones have the lowest percentage — 31%. A healthy body water percentage for adult men ranges from 50% to 65%, whereas women’s optimal values are between 45% and 60%.
You may be wondering why there’s so much insistence on regular water intake. Well, first of all, the cells in our body need water to survive. Moreover, perspiration helps regulate body temperature and flush out toxins from your body. Finally, water helps lubricate our joints and protects sensitive tissue.
Recommended Daily Water Intake
You’ve probably come across various information on this. Numerous scientists argue that women should drink 11 cups of water, while that number is slightly higher for men — 16.
However, as many of us don’t like the plain taste of water, we often resort to consuming different flavored drinks which can be packed with sugar and sweeteners. Make sure you read the labels before buying one of these, thinking they’re healthy. Moreover, if you exercise regularly, your water requirements can change, so always keep that water bottle with you.
Tips for Tracking and Increasing Daily Water Intake
We cannot stress enough how important maintaining a healthy water percentage is. That said, we know the challenges behind it, so we have prepared a list of tips and tricks to help you in your mission to stay hydrated.
- Buy a reusable water bottle — With it, you’ll know exactly how much water you’ve consumed throughout the day and whether you need to increase or lower your intake.
- Set and schedule your goals — You can make your own To-Do list with little tasks you need to fulfill throughout the day.
- Eat foods with lots of water — Certain foods like soups and broths contain more water. Also, you can incorporate spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, and watermelons into your diet.
- Use a smart body scale — Body scales have come a long way, so INEVIFIT’s Eros Smart Body Fat Scale can help you track the water levels in your body, so you can adjust your tactics if necessary.
Benefits of Staying Hydrated
If you’re still unconvinced and need that extra push, in the following section, you’ll hear all about the advantages water provides. Of course, these are just some of the many benefits of hydrating.
- Cognitive — Even if you’re just mildly dehydrated, your body’s cognitive functions will sense it. Namely, it can impact your mood, memory, and concentration. Drinking those extra two glasses of water can help you get back on track.
- Digestive — If you don’t consume enough water, you may experience digestive issues, heartburn, and irregular bowel movements. Water can help dissolve soluble fiber and keep your digestive tract running.
- Weight loss — Water can help you feel full for longer, which may reduce the frequency of your snacks between meals.
- Kidney stone prevention — These clumps of mineral crystals can be extremely painful. Fortunately, water helps dilute them, and the chances of getting kidney stones will decrease as a result.
- Cardiovascular — We’ve already mentioned that the heart is mainly made up of water. If you don’t drink enough H2O, it could lead to electrolyte imbalance affecting the functioning of this organ.
Common Misconceptions About Hydration
Numerous myths about hydration don't hold any water (pun intended). For instance, you’ve probably read somewhere that caffeine can make you dehydrated. Now, while it can act as a mild diuretic, you’ll be just fine if you consume it in moderation.
We’ve already mentioned the popularity of sports drinks. Many turn to them because they believe they can replace electrolytes and salt. Trust your body instead; it will show signs of what you’re lacking.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what goes into maintaining a healthy water weight percentage, it’s time to get to work. Whether you purchase a new water bottle or invest in INEVIFIT’s body scales, it’s up to you. Once you get started, you’ll see the changes in your body with each passing day.
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