If you are thinking more about your immune system these days, it makes sense. What are some simple steps to better immune health? Drinking enough water and staying hydrated in a healthy way might be easy to take for granted. It’s actually a very important way to fight illnesses and recover quicker if you become sick. Water is important for your immune system and overall health. Good hydration combined with good nutrition and healthy sleep habits are all important ingredients for a sound, balanced immune system. What are a few of the main ways water and healthy hydration give us better health?
Water Delivers Oxygen to the Blood
Drinking a consistent amount of water and healthy fluids gives your blood the oxygen it needs. Every cell in the body needs oxygen. Every organ or system in your body needs oxygen, and the blood transports it everywhere in your body all the time. You can make the job easier with a lot of water. The more you ask of your body, the more oxygen – for the energy – it needs. Your immune system is quite the same. It needs blood and oxygen to work at its peak.
Water Rids the Body of Contaminants
It’s actually easy to think about. Water flushes waste and contaminants out of your body and specifically the kidneys and immune system. Even if you eat, drink and do everything perfectly clean, your body still has to remove stuff and water is the main way this happens. Your cells take in more nutrients more efficiently if not fighting toxins.
Water Helps Lymph Flow
Your body’s immune system uses lymph to move leukocyte and nutrients to all of the body’s cells. Lymph fulfills these functions in your body:
- It carries water and nutrients to the blood, and then to cells.
- It brings leukocyte and other immune system cells from the thymus and the bone marrow, throughout the body.
- Lymph eliminates toxic substances from the blood.
Your body requires water in order to create lymph. Without lymph, your leukocyte and immune cells would not be able to move throughout the body to fight disease or infections.
Water Keeps Your Eyes and Mouth Clean
Drinking the right amount of water keeps your eyes and mouth clean and healthier. Good hydration lets your eyes and mouth simply feel better. Dry eyes and dry mouth can be worse depending on the summer weather, then especially if you’re active out in the heat. Water is the best “sports drink” you can have. Drinking water helps your eyes, nose and mouth keep dust, pollen and microscopic contaminants at bay.
Water Helps Digestion
You need good nutrition all around to maintain a healthy immune system. Among the benefits of drinking a lot of water is it maintains your gastrointestinal system to make sure you correctly digest food. If you don’t consume enough water regularly, you can be constipated, or wind up with a lot more severe digestive issues.
Water or Helps Against Some Chronic Conditions
Drinking the right amount of water keeps you healthy and balanced in the long term. An unexpected number of diseases can be prevented or managed better by drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day. Some examples are:
- Arthritis and joint problems, because drinking water helps lubricate the joints.
- Clinical depression, without adequate amounts of water your brain can’t produce enough seratonin.
- Sleeping disorders, because your brain needs water to produce melatonin.
- Leukemia and lymphoma, water makes it possible for your body to produce and transport blood cells which are necessary to immune functions.
Problems from Dehydration
The key way how water powers your body’s immune system is by eliminating dehydration. If you lose more fluid than the healthy fluid you take in, it stresses many parts of the body. This very much includes the immune system. Your body does not work as effectively and completely when it’s dehydrated. Good hydration is important for carrying oxygen via red cells, preserving healthy and balanced cells. It also is needed for getting rid of contaminants from your body by means of the kidneys and liver.
For these reasons, consuming a lot of water each day is a terrific way to ensure you remain healthy and strong, with your immune system working properly.
How Much Water Should I Drink a Day?
This depends upon a range of factors including your age, gender, the climate where you live, and how much you sweat. Generally, though, you should try to consume at least eight glasses (64 ounces) of water per day. This does not count water you absorb from foods and drinks like coffee, soda or tea. You might need more water depending other factors. You can test to find out how much water you need each day.
How can you determine if you’re drinking enough water? The best way is to take a look at your urine. The shade of your urine indicates your level of hydration. If it’s clear or a really light yellow, you’re most likely consuming enough water. The darker it is, the lower amount of water you have in your system. So think about drinking more water every day.
South End Water Filtration specializes in HALO Water Filter products including the HALO H2 Zero Whole Home Water Filter. HALO systems solve hard water problems, give your family clear, great-tasting water and are totally maintenance free. We’re just a click away to help and answer any questions. South End Plumbing and South End Water Filtration will give you a free estimate. Call us at 704-486-1988 or contact us online to schedule a visit.