The amount of blood present in our body at any given time is directly related to our body’s water and sodium levels. Our blood is over 80% water!  More water means more blood volume. This is why hydration is so important to maintain healthy blood pressure. When we are low on water, we are low on blood.  This means our heart has to work harder and pump faster to get a lower volume of blood to travel through our body.  The more dehydrated we get, the more our body holds onto sodium as a way of keeping water in our bodies.  Extra sodium in our bloodstream raises our blood pressure.

Water plays a key role in kidney function.  Kidneys depend on water to help filter out toxins from our bodies. Did you know our kidneys filter almost 200 quarts of blood every day! Kidneys send useful minerals or nutrients back into our blood stream, and all harmful or toxic substances are flushed away through our urinary track. Without enough water, our kidneys can’t efficiently get rid of the waste.

Drinking water can also help us stay on track when it comes to weight loss!  Getting into the habit of drinking a glass of water before a meal will make us feel full faster and is a great way to prevent over-eating. Sipping water throughout the day also curbs snacking. Many times when we think we’re hungry, we’re actually just thirsty.  So, before reaching for more chips, try taking a few sips of water.