You Need Water

Water makes up to 60% of your body and 90% of your blood.  Settle in for a lesson on your skin's most important ally. 

Generally, adult males need to consume about 3 liters (about 12 cups) of water per day while adult females need about 2.2 liters (about 9 cups).  According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, the average American drinks a little more than 4 cups of plain water per day.  Thankfully we also get water from other beverages and foods that we consume...bringing our total average water intake up to 3.18 liters, or 13.4 cups.  

So...why do we need all of this water?

The cells in our bodies are full of water and need it to carry out basic functions.  

Drinking enough water can help the body:

Flush out toxins 

Increase skin elasticity 

Speed the skin's healing process

Decrease water retention, which decreases swelling and puffiness 

Prevent overproduction of sebum and oil, which means fewer clogged pores.

Maintain a healthy gut by aiding digestion and flushing toxins from your body. 

Now that you get why you need to drink enough water, let's talk about ways to increase your intake and enjoy it a bit more.  

The folks over at Healthline suggest having a reusable water bottle, drinking a cup of water before meals, replacing other drinks with water, and eating more foods high in water content like melons...yum! 

You can also flavor your water with fruits and herbs that also benefit the skin such as:

Lemon, a vitamin C powerhouse, which can help boost collagen and clean the liver

A few drops of raw honey or a tablespoon of organic Apple Cider Vinegar can help clear and prevent breakouts.

For more recipes and info about the benefits of infused water check out these 14 Detox Water Recipes by Byrdie.

Tip up your cup!!