Importance of drinking water

One of the most important yet most ignored components of one’s diet is water. It is called the ‘elixir of life’. Apart from body temperature regulation, every metabolic process in the body needs an appreciable amount of water. Hydrating before lifting is also very important.

 

It has many, many essential roles:

 

i. Flushing out toxins: Water flushes out toxins and other metabolic waste products from the body. Water is especially important when following a “high protein” diet, as it helps remove excess nitrogen, urea (a toxic substance), and ketones (by products of protein synthesis). If weight training to increase definition (tone) you will need even more water to help your kidneys do their work.

 

ii. Metabolism of fat: Without enough water your kidneys will not function properly. When this happens, some of the filtering workload is transferred to the liver. The livers main function is to metabolize stored fat for energy. If the liver is doing both jobs, it will process less fat. Studies

have shown that consuming 2 liters throughout the day leads to increased calorie burn on a daily basis. Water also mitigates feelings of hunger.

 

iii. Fluid retention: Contrary to popular belief, drinking water can actually help you shed excess water weight. When water is in short supply the body stores it in extra-cellular space. This storage can lead to bloating. If water retention is a chronic problem, it may be because there is too much salt in your diet. Read your food labels and try to consume less than 2400mg per day.

 

iv. General health: Too little water and your body pulls it from various organs including the colon. When this occurs it can lead to constipation and impeded digestion.

 

With so many uses, it becomes all the more important to take care of your water intake. The question is,

how much to consume?

 

Usually, somewhere between 2.5 and 3 liters are recommended. However, for a lifter or athlete, 4 liter

or more is recommended. That’s more than 12 glasses.

 

This wisdom is doubly important in the heat of the summer where one tends to get dehydrated.

 

So keep hydrated, train hard, and stay strong!