The next time you feel a headache coming on, have the urge to snack between meals, or feel sluggish in the middle of the afternoon, you might be dehydrated. So that’s why experts say rather than pop pills, head for the snack vending machine or pour another cup of coffee, a glass of water may just be the ticket.

You’ve probably heard that most of the human body is made up of water. More than 80 percent of our blood is made up of water, muscle is made up of water, and overall, water accounts for approximately 65 percent of the average person’s body weight. In fact, the body goes through about 10 cups of water each day, just through digestion, respiration and perspiration! It’s important to drink water throughout the day, before you ever feel thirsty. The recommended amount is 8 glasses of water (8 oz. each) throughout the day. Athletes, active exercisers and people trying to lose weight should drink 10 or more glasses per day.

If that seems like a lot, consider all of the benefits of drinking enough water:

• Improves the digestion process.
• Gives you healthier, more moisturized skin.
• Helps you lose weight by suppressing appetite and helping the body metabolize stored fat, thereby reducing fat deposits in the body.
• Prevents headaches, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, even some allergies.
• Rids the body of waste and toxins and helps prevent constipation. · Relieves fluid retention problems and reduces sodium buildup in the body.
• Regulates body temperature to keep you cool in hot temperatures.
• May play role in preventing some cancers, such as colon and liver cancer.
• Carries nutrients throughout the body.
• Lubricates and cushions joints.

Drinking more water is probably the single most important – and easiest – change that most people can make to improve their health today. So avoid alcohol, caffeine and sodas, which can steal water from the body. Opt for distilled water, natural fruit juices and herbal teas instead.

Reprinted from San Francisco Healthy Lifestyles Section February 13, 2001 Written by Kelly S. O’Leary