The age-old advice to drink eight glasses of water may not apply to everyone, but it is a great starting place for determining how much water you need on most days. Unfortunately, studies show that about two in five adults do not drink enough water to meet current recommendations. So if you routinely find yourself drinking less than four glasses a day, consider these 10 reasons to start sipping a little more often.

1. Water Helps Your Body Regulate Its Temperature

Many people do not realize that water is a crucial component in the body’s temperature regulation system. Drinking enough water can maintain important systems in your body. You can also try  an electrolyte supplement after a long workout or on very hot days.

2. It Provides a Cushion for the Brain and Spine

Dehydration can negatively impact joint health since water provides a natural cushion between bones, including the bones of your spine. It also helps support the brain by maintaining a spinal fluid barrier. One review found that dehydration can negatively impact cognition among healthy young adults. That could equate to increased temporary confusion, short-term memory problems, or mood changes.

3. Water Helps Produce Mucus and Saliva

Mucus and saliva play essential parts in overall health. They keep eyes and delicate tissue — like inside your mouth, eyes, and nose — moist and clean, which makes it harder for germs to penetrate. Saliva also works to prevent dry mouth and to aid digestive processes.

4. It Helps You Maintain Energy Levels

Dehydration is one of the most common causes of fatigue. The next time you are dragging to get through the day, try drinking some cool water before grabbing an energy drink. It may be just what your body needs to restore energy levels.

5. Water Has Zero Calories

If you are working to maintain a healthy weight, you will be happy to know that water contains no calories or sugar. It is an excellent alternative to sugary drinks and won’t have you drinking your entire calorie budget.

6. Proper Hydration Supports Healthy Joints

The cartilage that helps enable joint mobility is up to 80 percent water. That is why hydration can help support healthy joints. On the other hand, dehydration temporarily reduces their ability to absorb shocks associated with vigorous activity.

7. Water Keeps Your Digestive System Running Smoothly

Fiber may come to mind first when you think of keeping your digestive system running smoothly, but water is equally important. It lubricates the intestines and ensures that stool is soft enough to pass through comfortably. Lack of water may also contribute to heartburn.

8. It Aids the Kidneys in Flushing Toxins

The kidneys are incredibly efficient at removing toxins and byproducts from the body. However, they must have water to perform their job. Additionally, consistent dehydration may contribute to painful kidney stones.

9. Water makes Nutrients Accessible to Your Body

Many vitamins and minerals are water-soluble. These are usually absorbed by the body through the small intestine, with any excess getting flushed out in your urine. If you do not drink enough water, it affects hydration in the intestine, and you may experience nutritional deficiencies even if you regularly take supplements.

10. It Helps Prevent Muscle Cramps

Muscle cramps can be incredibly painful, so anything that can help you avoid them can be seen as a positive. People use a variety of folk remedies to relieve these cramps, but they may be overlooking one of the most straightforward solutions: drinking water. Staying hydrated can lower your chance of suffering from muscle cramps associated with dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

Water is an essential nutrient that you need to maintain proper body function. It is involved with everything from temperature regulation to digestion and vitamin absorption. Aim to drink at least eight glasses a day to maintain hydration levels and support overall health.

Do you find yourself worrying about your child’s health? Every parent will worry about their kid’s health from time to time and you will want to do everything that you can to protect them and keep them happy and healthy. You will find that there are several things that you can do to protect your child’s health that will reduce the chance of them having any health issues and also help them to develop into a healthy adult. So, if you want to know how to protect your child’s health and give them a happy and healthy lifestyle, then be sure to keep reading.

Get Them Vaccinated

First, you want to make sure that they have all of their vaccinations. Vaccines are the best way to prevent the spread of numerous illnesses, including COVID-19, and will provide peace of mind knowing that they are protected against many illnesses. You should see your pediatrician to get their shots and make sure that they have all of the ones that they need.

Provide a Healthy & Balanced Diet

Providing a healthy diet for your child is important for several reasons. It can help them to get the nutrients that they need for development and well-being, maintain a healthy weight, and also help them to develop a strong immune system. You want to provide a diet that consists of fruit and veg, protection, healthy fats, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.

Teach Good Hygiene

Children also need to be educated on how to practice good hygiene. This is important in terms of social acceptance and self-esteem, but also for their health. Often, kids have poor hygiene habits that can lead to germs and illnesses. In particular, you need to teach them how to wash their hands properly and when they need to wash their hands (before eating, after using the bathroom and after blowing their nose).

Get an Allergy Test

Allergies are highly common in children and can have a big impact on their health and well-being. Additionally, some allergies can be fatal in anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction to a trigger). There are many types of allergies, including food allergies, pollen allergies, venom allergies, drug allergies, and skin allergies. It is important to detect any allergies that your child has so that you can avoid triggers and the best way to do this is to arrange an allergy test. An allergy test involves analyzing a blood sample and you can get a complete allergy test that will test for 295 allergies.

Keep Them Active

You should also ensure that your child has an active lifestyle. This is important for improving their overall health, developing a strong immune system, managing stress, improving sleep, and improving self-confidence. The key is to find an activity that they enjoy doing. This might take some experimenting, so you may want to discuss any sports or activities that they want to try.

These are a few of the best ways to protect your child’s health that will hopefully prevent any health issues and allow them to enjoy a happy and healthy lifestyle.