The Wonders of Water

Post by Adeline Rowley, Chiropractic Assistant at McCann Family Chiropractic

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The incredible reasons our bodies need so much water and why we should drink more!

Fun facts first: the adult body is made up of about 60% water. That is a lot of water! Because of this, it is crucial that we supply our bodies with enough water. Have you ever been so dehydrated that you have a headache, are shaking, or are dizzy? You are not alone. Here is the kicker: your body was probably begging you for water long before you felt that thirsty. Let’s scratch the surface of the benefits of drinking water by diving in to the following four:

• It lowers depression & anxiety
• It smooths the digestion process
• It gets more nutrients to your body
• It contributes to weight loss

DEPRESSION & ANXIETY

While there are many factors that contribute to anxiety and depression, dehydration should not be overlooked. Mental illness is driven mostly by the brain. Water plays a large part in helping the brain function properly. Furthermore, coping with dehydration drains the brain’s energy, which leaves the brain with little energy to cope with depression or anxiety. Lastly, the brain produces serotonin, which greatly impacts one’s mood. You guessed it: the brain cannot produce enough serotonin if it is dehydrated. 

 Think of water as an important nutrient for the brain! To be clear, drinking enough water will not cure a mental illness*, but it can alleviate one of the factors that may cause extra strain and definitely may help to improve your mood! 1 ​

​*We recommend working with a mental health professional for serious cases of anxiety and depression. ​
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DIGESTION

Drinking water makes it easier for the body to digest food. Indigestion can lead to heartburn (acid reflux), stomach pain, or constipation. Digestion is also how your body relieves itself of waste and flushes out toxins. Do not underestimate the impact water can have on your overall health - because much of it begins with the digestive system. 

(Did you know chiropractic also helps with digestion? It can!)
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NUTRIENT SUPPORT

​Did You Know? Water is called the universal solvent. Solvents are substances that solutes can be dissolved in, but not all solutes can be dissolved in all solvents. WATER can dissolve more solutes than any other solvent! This becomes obvious when we look at what goes on inside our bodies. 

​Water breaks down numerous minerals and nutrients for our bodies to put to work. If we lack the quantity of water that we need, we cannot properly process incoming nutrients. 
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WEIGHT LOSS

And so… if water helps with digestion and nutrient support, you can be sure it is helps with weight loss! Often, your body will tell you it feels hungry, but it is only thirsty. In fact, this is true for about 37% of people. A lot of the time you may be eating when all you needed was water! This means if you start drinking enough water, you will be giving your body what it actually needs – and you will drop weight at the same time! 

Trust me, the more water you fill yourself with, the less your body will demand food. In addition to the weight loss benefits of improved digestion and nutrient support… if you are looking to keep your calories in check, start by drinking more water throughout the day.
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​Okay, so, how much should I drink?

​The bare minimum is 64oz of water per day, for an adult. However, our general guidance and rule of thumb is to use your weight in pounds, divide by two, and then drink that number in ounces as your daily amount of H2O. For example, a person who weights 160lbs is going to need 80oz of water per day, and 200lbs will be 100oz. For adults, do not go below the 64oz minimum, even if you weight 100lbs. For kids, use the same weight divided by two rule, but don’t worry about the adult minimum,

Note: Certain circumstances such as exercise, heat, dry air, and pregnancy require you to drink more than this. ​

​Many experts say even more water is necessary for proper health.  While you can drink too much water, in general, most people can handle up to one gallon per day. It is cautioned that you may need to provide supplemental electrolytes if you are going to drink a full gallon per day. Several of our office staff are currently doing a challenge which includes drinking one gallon of water per day.  We love their fun water bottles, with motivational markers, even labeled, "Bottled Joy." Cheers!
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Contact Us

​Find it exhausting to drink so much water?
​Does it get old after about…five ounces? 

​We understand!  Try adding lemon or lime slices, berries, or a splash of lemon juice to your bottle.  

It is amazing you much your day can be improved by adding some beauty, and infusing water is a colorful, beautiful way to spark some simple joy.

​Your health matters - to us and to you.

​Hopefully, you can now clearly see why you always hear people talking about how healthy it is to drink more water. Between the brain function, the smooth digestion, the weight maintenance, and the nutrient absorption, water is about the best thing you can consume. Join us in building the healthiest bodies we can! Happy hydrating!

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1   https://solaramentalhealth.com/can-drinking-enough-water-help-my-depression-and-anxiety/#:~:text=Research%20has%20linked%20dehydration%20to,a%20nutrient%20your%20brain%20needs.