With more than 30 years’ experience in the residential and commercial water treatment space, Mark Nelson is a Class 1 Drinking-Water Operator and a CBWA (Canadian Bottled Water Association) Certified Plant Operator. As founder and president of Nelson Water in Ottawa, Mark focuses on dealing with challenging water treatment system designs for problem water. He also heads the largest water bottling plant in the city of Ottawa with a delivery network throughout the Valley. 

Water is vital for life. We need it for every cell, organ, and function of the body. After all, you can survive for several weeks without food, but you’re not likely to last more than a couple of days without access to water. Drinking water is typically at the top of the list for healthy choices, but it is important to ensure that you’re drinking good quality water. Here we’ll explore just some of the ways you can enhance your life with water.

Help to Maintain a Healthy Body Weight

Water can help you to feel full without consuming any additional calories. In fact, when you feel hungry, it can often be a sign of dehydration. Most experts recommend drinking two to three liters of water each day, and this can make you feel much fuller for longer, so you won’t be as tempted to snack on sugary or fatty snacks that contain empty calories. So, if you’re struggling to shift those last stubborn kilos or simply want to maintain a healthy body weight, water is your friend. So, if you start to feel hungry, try drinking a glass of water and waiting ten minutes. The chances are those hunger pangs will disappear, if not you can feel confident that your body really does need some food.

Natural Detoxification

While there are many products and plans on the market that claim to help you detox, there is nothing more effective than water. Drinking water throughout the day, even in small quantities will help to flush your systems. Water moves right through your body helping the body to eliminate toxins. Drinking plenty of water will also help to avoid constipation that can compromise your detox efforts. Of course, you need to be prepared to visit the bathroom more often, but you’re likely to see that your urine is a light color indicating that you are adequately hydrated.

Crucial for Oxygenating Your Body

Oxygen is more than just breathing; it is a vital nutrient for all our cells, tissues and organs. We need oxygen for every metabolic process within the human body. Our red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body to be diffused into the tissues. When you’re well hydrated, blood flow is smoother and more relaxed, which helps the oxygen rich cells to keep the body working properly.

Can Help Battle Addiction

Whether you’re addicted to drugs, alcohol or even junk food, water can help you in your battle. We’ve discussed earlier how drinking water can help you to make healthier food choices, but it can also be beneficial during withdrawal from alcohol or a controlled substance. During the withdrawal process, fluids are released through urine, sweat, and vomit, which means that dehydration can quickly set it. So, it is crucial that fluids are replenished constantly to avoid further health consequences and symptoms. Water also provides an excellent way to flush out toxins that have accumulated from the drugs or alcohol in the body. Having lots of cool, clean water on hand during rehabilitation and maintaining proper hydration after withdrawal will help transition into a healthier next phase of life.

Helps Thin the Blood

Keeping the blood well flowing and thin is a great way to tackle high blood pressure and heart disease. During periods of dehydration, the blood volume or the amount of blood decreases, which can place strain on the heart. When the blood is moving well all around the body and up to the brain will help you to keep healthy and stay alert. When you have optimum blood flow, your heart can keep pumping without being placed under strain from overworking.

Neutralizes Acidity

The acidity and alkaline balance inside the human body is very delicate. Our stomachs are very acidic to break down the food we eat, with a pH of 3.5 or less, while our blood is slightly alkaline. Pure water has a neutral pH, but most water supplies are slightly alkaline. This means that drinking water helps to neutralize acidity in the body. When you have excess acid, it puts stress on the muscles, joints, organs, systems and even teeth. So, drinking plenty of clean, clear water will help to strengthen the areas where acid can cause stress.

Boosts Energy

If you’ve ever experienced that energy slump mid-afternoon, your first thought may have been to reach for a sugary treat. Unfortunately, while this may provide a temporary energy boost because your blood sugar spikes, it is short lived. In fact, you may have been better to drink a glass of water. A lack of energy and feelings of lethargy are common signs of dehydration. When you maintain proper hydration, you’re more likely to feel alert and energized, so drinking plenty of water can help to boost your energy levels.

Water packs an impressive punch. A mere 2% drop in the fluid levels in your body can cause both physical and mental impairment. The symptoms for dehydration can range from headaches, dry skin, nausea and a lack of energy through to more serious conditions including rapid heart rate, dizziness, fainting, and confusion. So, water certainly has the ability to enhance your life. Maintaining your water levels can help you to feel more alert and ready to tackle the challenges of the day. So, before you reach for sugary snacks or fatty comfort food to provide you with a boost, consider drinking a cool glass of water. You’ll not only enjoy an energy boost, but you can avoid the slump of a sugar spike or the sluggish feeling of being weighed down by fatty foods.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of water and how you can improve the water quality of your home or business, be sure to speak to a water treatment professional. An experienced technician can assess your water and recommend systems and devices to improve the taste, smell and appearance of your water, so you can enjoy drinking straight from the tap, avoid costly bottled water and enjoy all the amazing benefits of drinking water.