10 Surprising Benefits of Water

Water is essential for human life.  All of the cells and organs of our body need water.  Water flushes out toxins, improves complexion, maintains regularity, boosts the immune system and promotes weight management and weight loss. Elemental Bottles

I was surprised to learn that there are even more benefits to drinking water.  Drinking water can improve mood, productivity and reduce stress.  Water can also lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, improve eye health, and protect against headaches and cancer.  A summary is given below.

10 Surprising Benefits of Drinking Water
1.  Improves Mood 

Drinking water makes us feel refreshed which improves our state of mind. Mild dehydration has been shown to negatively impact moods.  Shape

2.  Improves Concentration

Dehydration causes shrinkage of brain tissue.  When we don't have enough water in our body our brain has to work harder to perform at the same level. One study found that students who brought water to an exam performed better.  Greatist

3.  Boosts Energy

By staying hydrated you stay energized. Dehydration leads to fatigue because it impacts the flow of oxygen to the brain and causes your heart to work harder to pump oxygen, making you more tired and less alert.  Active

4.  Improves Focus

If you need to concentrate for long periods of time, keep water handy to help you stay refreshed, hydrated, and focused.  Dehydration can impair your attention span, memory, and motor skills. Greatist

5.  Reduces Stress
The link between water and stress reduction is well documented.  Studies have shown that dehydration leads to higher cortisol levels, the stress hormone, making it harder to deal with everyday issues.  Web MD

6.  Lowers Blood Pressure
Staying well-hydrated is one of the simplest ways to lower your blood pressure.  When you don't drink enough water your body retains sodium.  Dehydration forces your body to gradually close down some of its capillary beds.  When some capillary beds shut down there is more pressure on your capillaries and arteries which elevates your blood pressure. Dr. Sinatra  

7.  Lowers Cholesterol 
Having too much cholesterol can block blood flow, resulting in a thickening and hardening of artery walls.  Water can actually thin the blood, making it a natural way to help the blood pump more smoothly.  Drinking plenty of water will eliminate excess buildup of cholesterol waste from the body. APEC Water

8.  Improves Eye Health

Dry Eye and Eye Strain can be caused by dehydration.  Symptoms of Dry Eye include irritation, excess watering, blurred vision and feeling foreign matter in the eye.  Eye Strain symptoms include tired eyes, blurred vision, headaches and double vision.  Essilor  

9.  Prevents and Relieves Headaches

Drinking plenty of water every single day is import to prevent headaches and migraines.  Drinking water during a headache or migraine attack can help it from getting worse and can make it go away if it was caused by dehydration. Migraine Again  Drinking water can also help relieve tension, sinus, hormonal and cluster headaches.  APEC Water

10.  Protects Against Cancer

Water helps protect the bladder, colon, and breast tissue against cancer.  Research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology reveals that water intake is inversely related to each of these types of cancer; meaning the more water a person drinks, the less likely he or she is to develop these potentially fatal conditions. The Truth About Cancer