Water: Drink it Up

Pour yourself a glass or cup of water and drink it. Now, ask yourself: what did you just do?

Probably one of the best things you can do for your body, second to sleep.

Yes, drinking water is all that. Want to lose weight? Feel less fatigued and cranky? Be more alert at work and school? Prevent disease? Water helps with all that.

Doctors agree. According to WebMD, the body is about 60 percent water, and drinking water helps regulate the balance of just about every organ. Avoid muscle cramps by staying hydrated, doctors suggest, and keep your skin looking and feeling fresh and moisturized. 

Sometimes fatigue or bad moods can be alleviated with a dose of water. The brain is about 75 percent water (by weight), so replenishing water in the brain can help you feel better.

Water consumption also helps us regulate the amount of empty calories consumed in sugary drinks: choose water and save a few hundred calories a day you might have wasted on soda, sweetened fruit drinks (or tea) and other beverages.

In fact, if you read the nutritional values on processed drinks (including tea and sports drinks), you might be surprised at how many calories you're adding to your diet. A soda can have about 100 calories for every cup, which translates to 250 calories for a "single serving" bottle. Even those not counting calories or trying to lose weight should be aware of their food and drink intake. 

The Discovery Health Channel reminds readers to pay attention to your body to make sure you know if you've had enough water. If you feel thirsty or your urine is darker than pale yellow, you may need to take a drink. The old adage of eight glasses of water a day is a good rule, but not iron-clad. Don't over-hydrate, which also is dangerous — but don't underestimate your water needs. 

(While you're at it, save the environment: choose refillable sports bottles or aluminum bottles, so less goes into the landfill or recycling bin, or use the old-fashioned glass or cup at home or the office.)

Can you drink other fluids to rehydrate? Sure, but plain water is plentiful, readily available and pours out of the tap and water fountain at no additional cost.  

How else do you think water benefits your body?