Water and Your Health
Water is a vital nutrient, essential to every single chemical process that occurs in our bodies. Water makes up two-thirds of the human body, and 75 percent of the human brain is water.
Staying adequately hydrated allows our bodies to function as best they can, yet nearly 75 percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated without ever knowing it.
Everyone understands the importance of drinking enough water during extreme heat and while exercising, but hydration should not only be a concern for athletes or those battling summer weather.
People who drink enough water not only avoid the pitfalls of dehydration, they accelerate their metabolisms and help prevent overeating.
A scientific study found that people who drank 17 ounces of cold water saw up to a 30 percent increase in their metabolic rate for nearly an hour and a half.
Staying hydrated also:
- Lowers the risk of bladder cancer by half for those who drink six or more glasses per day
- Cuts heart attack risk nearly in half for those who drink five or more glasses per day
- Reduces a woman’s risk for breast cancer by up to 79 percent
- Decreases one’s chance for colon cancer for those who drink four or more glasses per day
