5 reasons to rehydrate

What's clear, tasteless and refreshing? If you guessed water, you're right.

Getting enough water is vital for our bodies to function properly. According to Health Canada, our bodies are made up of about 70 per cent water, and we'd only be able to survive for about a week without it. Living seems reason enough to guzzle it up, but keep reading to learn more about how water does the body good.

1. Keep it cool
Sweat may be gross, but it's necessary. "When you perspire, you cool your body down," says Rosie Schwartz, a Toronto-based dietitian.

Sometimes it gets so hot that we don't even notice we're sweating. Perspiration can evaporate immediately off the skin, taking us into a trouble zone where we might not realize how much we need to drink, Schwartz explains.

Sweat can be a reminder to increase water intake. "If you don't have enough water to produce enough perspiration, your blood volume decreases," says Schwartz, adding that your circulatory system can collapse. Symptoms associated with circulatory problems are dizziness, feeling ill or experiencing difficulty breathing.

2. Soak up those nutrients
Water helps move nutrients through the bloodstream to where they're needed in the body. As well, "some nutrients are water-soluble, so they're absorbed with water," Schwartz says.

3. Keep it movin'
If you lack water, you can get constipated. And going to the bathroom is frustrating and even painful when hard, packed feces won't budge.

According to Schwartz, water promotes regular movements because it acts as an aid to soften stool. Combining with fibre in the bowels, water increases the stool weight and pushes it out to where it belongs.

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