Water: It’s Critical for Heart Health
Are you drinking enough? Water that is.
Drinking water and staying hydrated is critical for heart health. That's why today, March 22, World Water Day, is the perfect opportunity to check in about this habit. It seems intuitive that we need water to survive. After all, our bodies are 60% water, and our heart is 73% water. World Water Day not only celebrates the importance of water but the fact that many people on the planet still live without access to clean drinking water. It’s easy to take something as basic as water for granted, which is why it’s important to acknowledge its importance in our lives. Plus, if we have access to clean water, the best thing we can do is use it for good.
Water is a Free Subscription for Heart Health
Water is critical for heart health because the more hydrated your heart is, the better it functions. That means pumping blood. Think, for a moment, about this: The heart pumps 2000 gallons of blood a day. Consider how big a gallon is; think about one of those big jugs of water. That's a lot of blood pumping through your busy heart. World Water Day is the perfect time to check-in and give thanks to the hard work that your heart does for you. Did you give your heart enough to drink today?
Water is great for your skin and kidneys and also helps with weight loss, energizing muscles, and staying regular.
The amount of water you need to properly hydrate varies according to a number of factors such as your weight, activity level, where you live, your current health, and even the season of the year. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is (including water, other beverages, and food) is:
About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men.
About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women.
Dehydration Causes Strain on Your Heart But is Preventable
Preventing dehydration is one of the best things you can do for your body. Your heart will pump more blood correctly and do it effectively without additional strain. When dehydration occurs, extra strain causes a decrease in circulation, and an increase in blood pressure goes up, as does the risk for all kinds of issues.
Keeping your body hydrated keeps your heart healthy. It's pretty basic, but it is very easy to forget, pure drinking water is one of the best assets you have at your fingertips to keep your heart healthy and happy.
As with almost everything in life, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Although rare, too much water consumption can be harmful. It’s important to know the signs of overhydration.
Increasing Your Water Intake May Seem Small But Brings Huge Benefits
There are some simple ways to add more water to your daily routine.
Keep track of your water intake.
Add pizazz to your hydration with a fun water bottle.
Flavor your water with fruit like lemons, oranges, strawberries, or cucumbers.
Take water with you everywhere you go.
Challenge a friend to drink more water.
Increasing your daily water intake is one of many ways to take charge of your health and take action. Water is a free resource that we often can take for granted, especially if we've always had easy access to it. World Water Day is a call to action bringing awareness to the need for fresh drinking water. Utilize this free resource now so that you do not have to pay the price later.
Come on and drink up. Your whole body will thank you.