Water is one of the best anti-aging remedies there is…Our bodies are 75% water, so it should come as no surprise that we need to drink water to be healthy and to resist the effects of aging.  But not only does your body benefit, your skin will too.  Water really is the skin's own internal moisturizer.  You may already know that water is important in your anti-aging routine - but are you drinking enough? 

Why does the body need water?

Simply put, your body is made of water.  Some facts about the amount of water in your body you may not have known:

• blood = 92% water

• muscles = 75% water

• brain = 75% water
  

It may be difficult to believe but even your bones are 22% water - that saying "chilled to the bone" really has some meaning!  When you consider just how much water there is in your body, it really isn't surprising that you need to drink it in order to survive and that without it, you are unlikely to last much longer than three days.

Dehydration (lack of water) creates blood that is thicker and harder to move around the body.  If you’ve ever been out in the sun for a while without drinking water, you probably felt sluggish and tired.  What was happening was that your body wasn’t able to pump as much blood to your brain, leading to that dopey, tired feeling. 

Your body also needs water to help process the toxins that you take in every day.  Though you might not realize it, everyday you are exposed to  small amounts of toxic chemicals from pollutants in the atmosphere - even from your diet if you eat a lot of processed food.  Normally, the body is quite good at removing these potentially harmful substances before they harm your health.  When there’s a lack of water in the body, the elimination of toxins is much harder.

How does it help in anti-aging?

Pure water is also an active force in bodily health delivering nutrients and oxygen to every cell in the body.  Without water your body is unable to absorb the anti-aging nutrients you need from your diet - however rich in antioxidants.   Even more importantly the amount of water in the body declines with age as there is an increase in fat and a decrease in muscle.  So taking in water daily becomes even more necessary in your anti-aging routine. 

What about skin aging?

The proper elimination of toxins is especially important for anti-aging skincare - skin is the biggest organ in your body - a vast mass of human tissue made up of individual cells the main component of which is water.  If you’re not drinking enough water, your skin simply lacks the moisture it needs to be supple and smooth - essential qualities in younger looking skin. 

When you’re dehydrated, your skin can appear wrinkled and dull and your face may feel 'tight' - all of which make you appear older than your natural age.  By taking the time to moisturize skin cells from within, you can make sure that your skin glows with health and retains its natural hydration. 

When you think about it, there really isn't much point in spending a lot of money on expensive anti-aging creams and serums, if you don't drink enough water.

How much water do you need?

You have probably heard that you have to drink eight to ten glasses of water per day.  The body loses about 2.5 litres or a around a gallon of water daily - more if you take strenuous exercise or are out in the sun.  So it does make sense to replenish what you lose.  No one would expect to run a car for ever without filling it up - so why do we ignore the same need in the body? 

The answer probably is that we assume we are getting the water we need through other drinks during the day.  Not a good assumption to make since so many of the drinks we take in may actually help to eliminate the water we need.  So, it is sensible to follow some sort of daily guideline. 

What you shouldn't do is wait until you feel thirsty since that is your body telling you your water 'tank' is already running on empty.  Fill up before you need to - its better for your body and does wonders for your skin.

The truth is that most of us suffer from mild dehydration.  A persistant headache, sluggishness, inability to concentrate, mild dizziness - these are all signs that you may need to take in water.  Try drinking water next time you feel like this instead of reaching for the painkillers and see if you don't feel a lot better almost immediately. 

Remember also that caffeine and alcohol accelerate dehydration so add one extra glass of water for every caffeinated or alcoholic drink you take.  Watch out for caffeine in soda drinks like coke and remember to drink the extra water you need.  If you're drinking coffe or a coke in a cafe or restaurant always ask for a glass of water to go with it. 

Bottled or tap?

If you can find a source of pure water - bottled mineral water or filtered water - then go for that.  If you can't or feel it's too expensive then it's generally better to drink tap water and keep to your regular 8-10 glasses than not to drink any water at all.  Bear in mind that most tap water now contains minute traces of chemicals and toxic elements which can build in the body over time. 

There are also increasingly reports of scams and overpricing on bottled water - so choose a good reputable supply.  Alternatively go for filtered water - simple filter machines are relatively inexpensive and easy to get hold of.  At least then you know your water is pure.

What if you don’t like drinking water?

Some people avoid drinking water because they find it boring or just don't like the taste.  Use your imagination to add taste without toxins.  Adding ice and keeping water cold help but you can always add a sprig of mint or a few cucumbers for a delightful taste.  Others like the mix of limes, lemons, or oranges with ice for a cool treat that’s also good for your skin. 

Try decaffeinated iced tea or - if all else fails add a splash of a light fruit drink.  

 

 

 

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