Hydration: Why drinking water is essential for joint health and overall well-being

​In my chiropractic practice, I’ve seen firsthand how important staying hydrated is for maintaining a healthy body. Water is essential for so many bodily functions, but did you know it also important for keeping our joints functioning properly? In this blog, I’ll share some of the benefits of drinking water, some simple tips to help you increase your water intake, and discuss how much water you should actually be drinking.

Benefits of drinking water:

1. Keeps you hydrated. This may seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. When you are properly hydrated, your body can function optimally. Your organs can work more efficiently, and your muscles and joints are less stiff and sore.
2. Boost energy: Dehydration can cause fatigue and a lack of energy. Being properly hydrated can increase energy levels and improve cognitive function.
3. Promotes healthy digestion: Drinking water can help keep your digestive system working properly. It can help prevent constipation and helps promote regular bowel movements.
4. Improves skin health: When dehydrated, your skin can become dry and dull. Drinking enough water can help keep your skin hydrated, giving it a healthy glow.
5. Supports joint health: This is key for me. As a chiropractor, I know how important it is to keep your joints healthy and functioning well. Drinking water can help to lubricate your joints, making movement easier and more importantly reducing the risk of injury.
6. Keeps your discs healthy: Another key one from a chiropractic perspective. Without proper hydration, the discs in your spine can become dehydrated, leading to a loss of height and flexibility, and increasing your risk of injury.

Tips for increasing your water intake:

1. Filter it: Sometimes tap water is just not that nice. Investing in a good water filter can make the water taste nicer, and as a bonus a good filter can also reduce the toxins in the water making it better for you too.
2. Keep a water bottle with you: Keeping a water bottle with you throughout the day is an easy way to increase your water intake. You’ll always have water on hand when needed. Also, it can help you drink the right amount of water (more on that below).
3. Post-It note reminder: Stick a post-it note on the side of your computer screen at work. Every time it catches your attention, have a drink of water.
4. Add flavour: Adding a little flavour to your water can make it easier to drink. You could try fresh fruit, herbal tea or a touch of concentrate.
5. Make it fizzy: Adding a little fizz to the water can make it a little more exciting. If you link this with a little flavour, it can be a win-win.
6. Habit stack: Try linking an existing habit with drinking water. For example: every time you brush your teeth, have a glass of water or every time you go to the bathroom, have a glass of water when you get back to your desk. 

​How much should you drink?
A general rule of thumb I like to follow is to drink 1 litre of water per 40kg of body weight.  If you are doing a hard workout at the gym or a sweating a lot at work, then this will need to be taken into account and you will need to drink a little more to compensate.
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Drinking water can have numerous health benefits, from boosting your energy levels to supporting joint health. By following these simple tips, you can increase your water intake and reap the benefits of staying hydrated. Remember, small consistent changes are the key to staggering long term results when it comes to your health.