The importance of good hydration in fitness
Without water, there would be no life. It's an unusual statement to start an article on fitness, but one that's also straightforward. Without water, life as we know it would cease to exist. Drinking enough water is also essential to our health. After all, most of the human body is water, about 60% to be exact.
When we talk about a healthy lifestyle, we tend to overlook staying hydrated. Water may not be the latest miracle shake, advertised by influencers and sold in glossy packages. In fact, its worldly nature works against it and makes us forget the many benefits of proper hydration. With the summer coming, we thought it would be a great opportunity to learn about the importance of hydration in fitness, including talking about its benefits and detailing how much water you should be drinking.
The importance of proper hydration in fitness - 5 benefits
1- Rejuvenate your muscles
Electrolytes, does this name mean anything to you? It helps you to stay in shape, even in adverse conditions. Water contains many essential electrolytes. You train, then your muscles need to recover. If you don't drink enough water, your muscles weaken and lose strength. However, if you maintain optimal hydration, you will feel energized, which will improve your performance.
2 - maintain joint lubrication
Water should be your drink of choice if you want to keep exercising in the gym, especially if you want to avoid injury. All because water helps form synovial fluid, the fluid that flows through your joints and helps cushion the ends of your bones. So make sure you're hydrated, to keep those joints lubricated and healthy.
3- It makes you more resistant
It may sound strange, but water can play an important role in how you deal with adversity. Take competitive runners, for example. Studies show that it slows down by 2% for every percent of body weight you lose due to dehydration. Thus, drinking enough water improves your endurance as well as your resistance to pain. First because, as we've seen, water lubricates your joints, and second, dehydration sucks fluid out of your tissues causing general aches and pains, making strenuous efforts and exercise more difficult.
4- Helps control your weight
Your daily water intake can also help you control your weight. Studies show that drinking a large glass of water before a meal reduces the amount of food consumed later, helping those looking to lose weight. Participants revealed that they were less hungry, which is normal because drinking water enhances feelings of satiety. So if you need an extra helping hand to reduce or maintain your weight, water should be your drink of choice.
5 - nutritious
Blood is made up of 90% water and is responsible for transporting nutrients and oxygen through the body. Water allows these valuable nutrients to travel into the blood and circulation, where they are distributed throughout the body, cells, and organs.
How much water should you consume?
According to the British Dietetic Association (BDA), the optimal amount of water for an adult male is 2000 ml, while it is 1600 ml for females.
Now that you've learned the importance of proper hydration in your fitness and overall health, it's time to fill your water bottle. After all, it's readily available, free, secure, and perfect for you!
