Water consumption has a tremendously beneficial impact on the body. As you will see below, there are many ways drinking enough water will make you healthier and conversely, if you are not drinking enough water, it could be affecting your health adversely!
Water is the universal solvent of the human body. The average body should consume one ounce of water for every two pounds of body weight. More muscular bodies need even more water. Although great athletes have always understood drinking water is critical while exercising, it is important for everyone, athlete or not, to stay hydrated throughout the day. Many little swallows of water are better than gulping down a lot of water at one time.
Passive diffusion is the scientific name for the process of how water travels through the body. However, new research has showed water is released throughout the body through a process called active diffusion. This is important because this active release of water actually causes an increase in calorie output, an increase in cell detoxification, and an increase in muscle hydration as well as stimulating multiple metabolic reactions in the body. In addition, the body requires a tremendous amount of water in order to break fat into fatty acids and degrade them into calorie utilization. In other words, It's not a just a myth that water consumption helps you lose weight!
Your brain is 80% water. When you're dehydrated, this level can decrease to 60% or 70%, which keeps the mind from working at normal speed and function. Super hydration also clears the lungs and increasing breathing capacity. This then increases the speed and level of detoxification from the mouth through the rectum.
If your body tends to retain water, make sure you are drinking enough water. If you are then decrease your sodium Intake, sit in a sauna and wear warm clothes during workouts to flush out toxins and poisons via your pores. This will decrease toxicity levels and increase your body's ability to function.
Lack of water can also affect your spine. As a chiropractor, many times I see X-rays that show desiccation of spinal discs. Water is not the only factor, but lack of water can increase degradation. Another way to increase your level of health is to have your spine checked once a month to maintain overall function. Chiropractic manipulation opens up the discs in the spine allowing more gas and fluid to inflate and increase disc height. This allows nerve flow to increase and be enhanced which results in better coordination, strength, function, balance and proprioception.