[ad_1]
We have all heard it since we were kids — drink your eight glasses of water per day. As we have gotten older, the reports have changed here and there, but generally, the thought is to still drink plenty of water, whether its the eight glasses or some other formula based on your weight or activity level or whatever. What it all comes down to is this — is water good for you or not? What are its pros and cons (on an unscientific level of course).
First pro: Water keeps you hydrated. Yes, there are plenty of sports drinks that may have some extra benefit in providing electrolytes or carbs or even sodium, but water will also keep your body from dehydrating after a long workout and it doesn’t give you the extra sugar some of the sports drinks.
Second pro: By staying hydrated, your skin stays plump and wrinkles are not as apparent. When you get dehydrated, your skin starts to look mottled and dry; the elasticity appears to go away and your overall tone looks unhealthy. By drinking plenty of water, you’ll look more alive, your skin will look healthier, and again, the appearance of wrinkles or sagging skin will diminish.
Third pro: Drinking plenty of water will help you when you’re trying to lose weight. Water helps to breakdown toxins, carbs, even proteins, then helps flush them away. Since our bodies are mostly water anyway, the more you keep flowing through it, the more opportunities you have to rid it of unwanted substances, including those that keep extra weight on.
When it comes to the cons of drinking water, that’s a little more difficult. One problem may be frequent urination, especially if you’re not used to drinking very much water; that subsides after you get used it though, so it should not be a long term concern. The only other possible con would be drinking excessive amounts of water. It is rare, but we’ve heard the horror stories where kids (or adults) died from too much water intake.
Remember, as adults, not to drink too much water after you have over exerted yourself (such as run a marathon) or you’re over heated; instead, take in fluids slowly and build your hydration levels back up over time (or even consult a doctor); and finally, never force kids too drink large amounts of water at one time.
[ad_2]
