What happens to my body when I drink more water?

How Water Helps My Vital Organs

When you start drinking more water, your body goes through several positive changes that can have significant health benefits. Staying hydrated is essential for the efficient functioning of almost every bodily system. (Of course, it’s important to remember now to over-hydrate, which can have severely negative effects. If you feel nauseous or bloated after drinking water, take a break from drinking for a little bit.)

Here’s what happens to your body as you drink the optimal amount of water each day:

1. Improved Cellular Function and Energy Levels

Water is vital for cellular health. Every cell in your body relies on water to transport nutrients, remove waste, and maintain optimal energy levels. When you’re well-hydrated, cells perform these tasks more effectively, which can leave you feeling more energetic and alert. Dehydration, on the other hand, can make cells sluggish and less responsive, leading to fatigue and a lack of focus. By drinking more water, you keep cells hydrated and improve energy throughout the day.

2. Enhanced Brain Function and Focus

Your brain is about 75% water, so it’s highly susceptible to the effects of dehydration. When you drink more water, you give your brain the hydration it needs to function at its best. Studies show that even mild dehydration can impair cognitive functions such as memory, concentration, and mood. Increased water intake can improve focus, mental clarity, and even your mood, helping you stay productive and mentally sharp.

3. Better Skin Health and Appearance

Drinking more water can have visible benefits for your skin. Proper hydration helps flush out toxins and maintain skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Hydrated skin appears plumper and healthier, which can give it a natural glow. While water alone won’t replace a good skincare routine, it’s a critical part of keeping skin hydrated from the inside out.

4. Improved Digestion and Nutrient Absorption

Water plays a key role in digestion and nutrient absorption. Drinking more water helps food move smoothly through your digestive tract and prevents constipation by softening stools. Adequate hydration also aids in the breakdown of food, ensuring that your body can better absorb vitamins and minerals. If you suffer from digestive issues like bloating or constipation, increasing your water intake can offer natural relief.

5. Detoxification and Kidney Health

The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste from your blood and excreting it through urine. Drinking more water helps your kidneys perform this function more efficiently by diluting waste products, which can reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Proper hydration is essential for preventing the buildup of toxins, keeping your kidneys healthy, and supporting overall detoxification.

6. Weight Loss and Metabolism Boost

For those aiming to lose weight, increasing water intake can support your goals in a few ways. First, drinking water before meals can help you feel fuller, which may reduce overeating. Secondly, staying hydrated has been shown to increase the number of calories your body burns at rest, known as resting energy expenditure. Some studies suggest that drinking cold water can give your metabolism an extra boost, as the body uses energy to heat the water to body temperature.

7. Temperature Regulation

Water helps regulate body temperature through the process of sweating. When you exercise or are exposed to hot environments, your body produces sweat, which evaporates and cools you down. However, this process requires sufficient hydration. When you drink more water, you help your body cool itself efficiently, which is especially important during physical activity or in high temperatures.

8. Joint Health and Muscle Performance

Water is a major component of the fluid that surrounds your joints, known as synovial fluid, which cushions and lubricates them. Drinking more water helps keep joints well-lubricated, reducing discomfort and lowering the risk of joint pain and injury. Muscles also rely on water to function effectively, as it aids in delivering electrolytes and nutrients. Proper hydration can reduce the risk of cramps, improve flexibility, and boost endurance, making it essential for anyone with an active lifestyle.

9. Cardiovascular Health and Blood Pressure Stability

Staying hydrated is essential for heart health. When you drink more water, it helps maintain the volume of blood in your system, making it easier for your heart to pump blood throughout your body. Dehydration can lead to a thicker blood consistency, which can strain the heart and raise blood pressure. Drinking water helps support healthy blood pressure levels and decreases the risk of cardiovascular strain.

10. Reduced Headaches and Migraine Relief

Dehydration is a common trigger for headaches and migraines. If you’re prone to these, increasing your water intake can help reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. Many people experience relief from mild headaches simply by rehydrating. Keeping your body hydrated throughout the day can help ward off dehydration-induced headaches, improving your overall comfort and well-being.

Help make

Drinking clean water offers many benefits to our physical appearance and mental health. But ultimately, drinking enough water is what keeps our bodies operating the way they were meant to. That’s why it’s critical for all people to have access to a safe, clean source of drinking water at all times.

But many millions of people around the world lack this, and are forced to travel long distances to reach their nearest water source. And when they arrive there, often their water can be contaminated with waste or dangerous bacteria.

That’s why Embrace Relief works to build water wells in Africa. To date, we have built or reconstructed more than 950 water wells, expanding access to clean drinking water to more than 1 million people. When water is abundant, people are healthier, cleaner, safer, happier, and more prosperous.

Be a part of Embrace Relief’s Clean Water Initiative and donate using the box below to help us make clean water a reality for even more communities in Africa. Every dollar counts. And if you’re looking to make an even bigger impact, consider a $3,500 donation – this will cover the cost of building an entire new well, and will also entitle you to name your well, leaving a legacy of compassion and hope for years to come.

No matter how you give, give the gift of clean water today!