Drink more water – 1% dehydration reduces your metabolism

“Your metabolism is basically a series of chemical reactions that take place in your body,” says Trent Nessler, PT, DPT, MPT, managing director of Baptist Sports Medicine in Nashville. “Staying hydrated keeps those chemical reactions moving smoothly. Being even 1% dehydrated can cause a significant drop in metabolism”.

Most people don’t drink enough water during the course of an average day. They aren’t really aware of how much water they are drinking and most people aren’t drinking enough water. Dehydration is a very common problem, and you don’t even realize the impact.

Here are some tips from the experts for proper water consumption:

• Drink eight 8oz glasses of water a day.
• Don’t drink them all at once - try to spread them out throughout the day, especially before and during meals.
• Keep an insulated sports water bottle with you and replenish throughout the day.
• Substitute water for coffee or soda.
• Get in the habit of keeping a glass of water on your desk and nightstand.
• Always drink more water when you exercise or do strenuous activities.

If you are trying to lose weight, drinking more water can boost your metabolism to help you feel full. If you drink really cold water, the body works to warm the water up. This process causes the body to burn a few extra calories. Also, drinking an eight ounce glass of water before a meal fills you up and you ingest fewer calories. Water also aids in digesting the food properly.

Many of us don’t realize all of the healthy benefits that we can receive by drinking lots of water. In addition to the slimming benefits, here are other amazing results:

• Energy booster by transporting oxygen and other nutrients to cells
• Muscle toning by lubricating joints and preventing cramping
• Lowers levels of stress by avoiding dehydration
• Reduction of kidney stones by diluting salts and minerals in your urine that forms solid crystals
• Good digestion by dissolving waste particles and allows them to pass smoothly

We all know that water is good for us, but often the specific reasons are not so obvious. The best way to meet your daily water intake requirements is to get in the habit of drinking a whole bottle of water with daily activities, like eating and exercise. Focus on the reduction of less healthy alternatives, like coffee and soda. With a little focus, and good daily habits, you too can enjoy the healthy metabolism you need.