Water is easily accessible for most of us these days, through taps or Water Dispensers. But how many of us drink plain water frequently? In a 2020 Survey involving Singaporeans, it was identified that 43% of the participants had beverages (caffeinated/sweetened) instead of water during breakfast. And that’s just breakfast.
With our more than hectic lifestyles, we sometimes overlook the importance of drinking water. Let’s look at why it is vital to have sufficient water throughout the day!
Bad things happen when we don’t get enough water
When you do not drink enough water, it results in (1) low energy and (2) dehydration – leading to brain fog, overheating of your body, mood swings, skin damage, a higher risk of stroke, constipation, and kidney stones.
Water helps you lose weight!?
Compared to sweetened or caffeinated drinks with higher calories, water has 0 calories! This could help with weight management and decrease your daily calorie intake. It has also been reported that when we believe we are hungry sometimes, it could be because we do not consume sufficient water and hence, could just be thirsty. Additionally, water eradicates our body wastes through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements. It also supports our joints and ensures we have regulated body temperature.
For the non-water drinkers
So, how do we increase our water intake? Here are some tips!
1. Add fruits (lemons, cucumber, strawberries, and herbs) to enrich the flavor of the water. Some people simply don’t drink water because it is bland. Add healthy taste to it and enjoy.
2. Bring along a Water Bottle, and set timing markings on the bottle for the amount of water you should drink throughout the day. Stick to your schedule.
3. Purchase a Water Dispenser, because why not. The convenience of having Iced cold water on a Hot Day and on-demand Hot Water for your hot drinks could entice people to drink more water.
Too Much Water
However, we must ensure we do not over-consume beyond the recommended intake level. Drinking excessive amounts of water throughout the day may lead to a life-threatening issue known as hyponatremia. This occurs when the kidneys are unable to dispel the excess water. Hence, consume only appropriate amounts of water daily.
So, how do you know how much water you should drink daily? It has been determined that 3.7 liters of fluid consumption a day for men and 2.7 liters of fluid consumption for women would be optimal. To obtain a baseline for how much water you should be consuming, you can attempt to consume between one to two ounces of water per kilogram that you weigh.
So, drink responsibly! Water. We mean water.
