You’re constantly being reminded to drink water, but do you know why? We explore the reasons why staying hydrated matters, especially when you’re fasting.

Regularly drinking water is about more than just quenching a thirst. Providing your body with enough liquids is essential to proper bodily functions. A healthy water intake not only supports your physical well-being but also improves sleep, mood, and cognitive function. When you’re fasting, you must be even more mindful about hydration, as you no longer receive any fluids from foods with high water contents. Below, we’ll explore the main reasons why staying hydrated matters.

Maintains Skin’s Elasticity

Hydration is more crucial to skin care than many people know. A solid water intake boosts your skin’s elasticity and buoyancy. Staying hydrated also reduces your skin’s susceptibility to scars, wrinkles, and dryness, making proper hydration just one of the essential skin care tips for graceful aging.

Regulates Body Temperature

As you’re likely aware, your body produces sweat when exerting itself. Sweat is a result of your body trying to keep itself cool during physical activities or in hot temperatures. This loss of your body’s water keeps you cool, but promptly replenishing that water is essential. Without hydration, your body’s temperature will start to rise.

Flushes Your Body of Toxins

Another top reason why staying hydrated matters is that proper hydration keeps your liver and kidneys in good condition. These organs nab toxins from your bloodstream, converting them into water-soluble elements for you to later excrete by urinating. If you don’t consume enough water, your liver and kidneys become vulnerable to toxin buildup. An accumulation of waste and acids in the body can lead to chronic disease and eventual organ damage.

Hydration While Fasting

As we mentioned earlier, fasting reduces your percentage of water intake coming from foods high in water. If your diet was rich in cucumber, lettuce, apples, or any other high-water-content foods, you’ll need to compensate for those lost fluids with more water. Because most people are used to having a glass of water alongside a snack or meal, you’ll need to remain extra mindful of your water intake throughout the day when you’re fasting. Here are some simple tips for staying hydrated when fasting:

• Avoid caffeine, as it increases urine production.
• Avoid salty and spicy items, as these can heighten your body’s need for water.
• Drink water throughout the day rather than chug a bottle every few hours, as you’re more likely to have to urinate after drinking a whole water bottle in one go.
• Minimize your exposure to the sun and heat.

Clearly, reminding yourself to drink water has a lot of benefits. Whether you’re fasting or not, getting your daily recommended number of fluid ounces of classic H₂O is critical to your bodily functions. Moral of the story: stay hydrated. Your body and mind will thank you!