Drinking water is great for your mind and body, and has many known benefits, including improving joint mobility, kidney function, hydration and improved brain function. You probably also hear frequently about the negative side-effects that sugary and caffeinated drinks can have on your body. So, what would happen if you replaced all of your daily drinks with water?
Here’s what you could expect.
Lose weight faster
Water contains no calories, so unlike sugary drinks like soft drinks, juice and alcohol, it can’t make you gain weight. By replacing sugary drinks with water, you not only reduce calorie intake but can boost your metabolism.
Drinking warm water can also help to support weight loss. Studies have shown that drinking two glasses of water before eating a meal can make you feel fuller, reducing calorie consumption.
Muscle endurance and flexibility
Your body needs calcium to build and maintain strong bones. Drinking carbonated drinks can disrupt calcium absorption, contributing to weak bones and muscles. By cutting out these drinks and replacing them with water, you can help your body absorb essential vitamins and nutrients.
Water also makes up a large portion of your muscle composition. Staying hydrated can also help you become more flexible and improve your muscle endurance.
Better concentration and focus
Eighty per cent of your brain is composed of water. Not only do sugary and carbonated drinks have a negative effect on brain chemicals, but dehydration can contribute towards poor memory, brain fatigue, depression and brain fog.
Switching out sugary drinks for water can help to reduce daytime mental fatigue, increase concentration and boost your memory.
Boosts your metabolic rate
Drinking too many sweet, sugary or caffeinated drinks can put strain on your metabolism, slowing it down. Cutting out this sugar intake and boosting your hydrations levels by replacing these drinks with water can speed up your metabolic rate. Not only will you burn calories faster but staying hydrated can help to reduce fatigue and regulate blood sugar levels.
Helps to flush out toxins
The overconsumption of sugary food and drinks can lead to a build-up of accumulated metabolic waste in the body. It can also cause kidney damage, slowing down the removal of this waste. Drinking water is essential to healthy kidney function, helping them to filter blood and extract waste to be excreted in urine.
Improved blood circulation
Many sugary drinks contain artificial sweeteners that can disrupt the healthy function of your blood vessels. This can reduce blood flow to vital organs including the brain and digestive tract, can cause high blood pressure and increase your heart rate. Alternatively, drinking water helps to improve blood circulation.
Energy and mood
High consumption of caffeinated or sugary drinks can cause you to feel lethargic or fatigued. The sudden spike and drop in blood sugar levels can cause mood swings, irritability, hormone imbalances and sugar cravings. Replacing these drinks with water can help you to feel more energetic and can help to boost your mood.
Lower disease risk
Cutting out sugary drinks and replacing them with water can help to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and kidney stones. It can also help to prevent muscles cramps, constipation, headaches and increase the absorption of essential vitamins and nutrients.
Good for skin and hair
Aerated drinks can cause premature ageing by damaging collagen bonds in the skin. Replacing them with water helps your skin look plump and hydrated, increases cell production and helps to flush toxins away from the skin.
Carbonated drinks can not only inhibit the absorption of essential nutrients, but they can also make it harder for your body to produce essential hormones. This can make you hair brittle, stunt its growth or even lead to hair loss. Drinking water, on the other hand, hydrates your scalp, helps with the absorption of nutrients and can reduce dandruff.
Improves digestion
Soft drinks are normally acidic, meaning that drinking too many can cause pH imbalances. This can lead to stomach ulcers, bloating, diarrhoea, stomach pain and gas. Carbonated drinks can also cause flatulence and indigestion.
Water helps to regulate and improve bowel movements, improve pH balance in your body and can help to prevent stomach disorders.
How many sugary or caffeinated drinks do you consume each day? Would you ever consider replacing them all with just water?
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Related articles:
https://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/health/your-health/hydration-more-important-as-you-age
https://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/lifestyle/stylewatch/how-to-keep-your-lips-from-thinning
https://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/health/your-health/doctors-know-if-you-lie-about-drinking
Disclaimer: This article contains general information about health issues and is not advice. For health advice, consult your medical practitioner.
