When you’re feeling worn down but don’t have time to stop for a rest, what’s the first thing you do? Do you grab a canned energy drink, filled with caffeine and sugars, just to keep going?
Sure, it’s great when you need a quick pick-me-up, but there’s an energy drink that’s even more effective in the long run….
WATER.
Now, you might be inclined to say, “Obviously, we all know that water is important!” But many people don’t fully understand why it’s so important and how it works. You actually need it to live, and while energy drinks do contain some of this invaluable liquid, they’re not exactly a good substitute for plain, good old-fashioned drinking water.
What Does Water Actually Do?
About 60% of the body is made up of water. Our cells our full of it — it lubricates joints, creates saliva, distributes oxygen, controls temperature and even helps flush waste and harmful substances from our bodies.
When we drink, the fluid makes its way from the mouth to the stomach and the small intestine, where we absorb it into the bloodstream. If you haven’t been drinking enough water, your blood volume decreases, forcing your heart to use more energy to distribute it throughout the body.
Luckily, neurons usually send messages to your brain to make you thirsty and let you know you need to rehydrate before it becomes a problem.
Water is essential for pretty much every bodily function. Proper hydration keeps your body from overheating, protects you from health issues like constipation and kidney stones and even helps manage mood and thinking abilities. It’s probably the single most important substance you can put into your body — in fact, you’re not likely to survive more than a few days without it.
Why Plain Water is the Best Energy Drink
Sugary, caffeinated beverages are short-term solutions for your drowsiness on days when you can’t slow down. But when you look at the big picture, plain water is the best energy drink out there if you want to keep your momentum going. The average adult needs anywhere from two to three liters of water per day. While some of this intake comes from food and other beverages, it’s just as important to drink plain H2O throughout the day — especially when you’re exerting a lot of energy.
When you start becoming dehydrated, you might first notice yourself becoming fatigued or developing a headache. These may be fairly minor symptoms, but they can impact your day and take a toll on your daily performance.
Drinking plenty of water can help keep you feeling more refreshed and energized over the long-term. Some evidence has even indicated that energy drinks with high levels of ingredients like caffeine, sugar and taurine could cause health issues, raising blood pressure and anxiety and even increasing the risk of a heart attack.
So seriously, if you want to be able to power through your day and feel awesome while you do it, try drinking more water. You may find it helps give you the little extra boost you need. You could find yourself inspired to fill up a giant water bottle the next time you leave the house rather than stopping at the corner store for a Red Bull.
Copyright 2019, DailyProsper.com
