What is hydration? Hydration definition

Whether or not you are one of the many people who carry a trendy water bottle wherever you go, chances are you’ve heard the message that water is key to your optimal health and wellbeing.

Feeling sluggish? Drink more water. Have a headache? Try some water. Parched and achy from a workout? Drink up!

The majority of your body is made up of water so it makes sense that maintaining adequate hydration is needed for your body to perform its many functions – from your individual cells to your major organs. But what is the definition of hydration?

Hydration is when your body gets the recommended amount of water each day so it can do its job – either through drink or food. That recommendation can vary by age, gender, activity level, etc., but a good rule of thumb is to take your weight in pounds, divide it in half and drink that many ounces each day.

5 unexpected benefits of hydration

If you do that, you’ll likely never be thirsty. But all that water is also going to work inside your body to help keep things running smoothly. Let’s take a look at some of the specific benefits of hydration you may not think about when you’re tallying up your daily water intake.

1. Cognitive function: Avoiding the effects of dehydration on the brain

If you want to stay sharp and help your brain function at peak capacity, it’s important to stay hydrated. First, about 75% of your brain mass is water, so it follows that you need to drink plenty of fluids for it to function properly.

Scientific research also supports this. Multiple studies found evidence that dehydration affects cognitive function. In one study, results showed that dehydration affected short-term memory, visual perception and mood.

2. Hydration and inflammation: Support your joint health

You are keeping your joints happy when you keep your body hydrated. Why? Because cartilage does the heavy lifting when it comes to cushioning your joints and bones and cartilage is composed of about 80% water. If you’re not consuming enough water, your body will start taking it from wherever it can, including your cartilage.

3. The link between water and digestion

Hydration and gut health are connected. Water helps keep everything moving through your digestive system, from start to finish. Saliva begins to break down the food you eat, and your body needs to be fully hydrated for adequate saliva production. Water is also a key part of stomach acid, which helps break down your food. And adequate hydration also helps your body absorb the usable nutrients and eliminate the leftovers.

4. Water to improve kidney function?

Water helps your kidneys do their job and your kidneys help maintain your hydration levels. They help remove extra fluid or tell your brain to drink more water when it’s needed.

Your kidneys need water to help your body remove waste (urine). Water also helps blood move through blood vessels to deliver nutrients to your kidneys. You’re less likely to get kidney stones if you maintain adequate hydration, too!

5. Supporting hydrated skin

When it comes to hydration and your skin, think of a plant that doesn’t get enough water. It sags and shrivels. A healthy plant is plump and hydrated! Your skin can behave the same way.

To support hydrated skin, drinking water is just as important as using moisturizers and serums in your regular skin care routine. It helps maintain skin elasticity, which reduces the look of pores. And if you don’t get enough water, your skin can turn dry, tight, flaky and more prone to wrinkles.

Water also helps your skin flush out toxins. If you don’t drink enough to do the job, your skin might become oily as it tries to remove the toxins on its own.

So, are you ready to stay hydrated? Follow these hydration tips to increase your water intake. Is the taste of your tap water holding you back? Look into water filtration systems or flavored add-ins.

You can also consider following a program that prioritizes hydration along with other healthy habits. The Nutrilite™ Reset 30 Program includes a habit tracker where you can tally the amount of water you consume each day to ensure you’re staying on track.