We're all looking for that elusive magical potion that will keep us looking as beautiful as we did in our teens - perfect flawless skin, wrinkle free, shining hair, glistening wide eyes, and the hot body we had way back when.
The next time you’re tempted to spend an inevitable small fortune on the latest lotion or crème promising to turn back the clock, how about simply taking a sip of H2O. Water – it’s a remarkable youth enhancing substance on tap, literally, right in our homes.
Keeping hydrated is one of the most important things we can do to both look and feel great. Without water we’d be unable to function, but worse than that, we’d look like heck. Our skin would dry out and have an unattractive pallor for starters, and terribly cracked lips. In fact, without water, we’d surely die. Believe it or not, our bodies are made up of about 65-70 percent of the wet stuff, our brain is 75 percent, our blood contains more than 80 percent water and as for our liver - it’s a whopping 96 percent water!
We lose about one pint of fluid every day just by breathing, never mind in hotter temperatures. Then add any kind of activity and we’re losing aqua left and right. But don’t sweat it. Just drink up!
With proper hydration our skin should glow, look healthy, plump, blemish free and with fewer visible wrinkles. Water boosts collagen production in our skin, keeping it elastic and helps skin cells replenish themselves. With enough water our metabolism will flourish, also making our skin, hair, and body look and feel younger. Our liver will be able to flush out toxins, including those that that speed-up the aging process and even our muscles, with enough H2O, look fuller and defined - not to mention the benefits of drinking water to promote weight loss and therefore a youthful body - You can’t lose weight without water to flush out the by-products of fat breakdown.
In order to get “enough” water, research used to suggest eight, eight-ounce glasses a day, but recent studies challenge this, some saying that half this amount is sufficient and some saying more. Bottom line, listen to your body, be aware of your environment and drink when thirsty.
Many drinks contain huge amounts of water, but beware of sodas, energy drinks, coffee, teas and the likes, because they contain caffeine and act as diuretics - so what goes in, quickly comes out.
You can also get a healthy amount of water from other sources; like fruit and vegetables.
A great way to get watered on the go is to tote bottled water, but note that there are no strict regulations on the quality of that water and while it is clean…it may just be the same as the regular water you get from your faucet. Many manufacturers sell plain and simple filtered water for profit, while the water we get from our faucet…well, the United States boasts one of the most regulated and cleanest water systems in the word.
But however you get your daily intake … Drink up – because water works!
Samantha Altea is a professional freelance writer and editor who specializes in beauty and fashion. She lives in New York City and has written for publications like, Marie Claire, Self, Kaboose.com and Daily Candy.
