Insider Health Today 2023

Water is like the magic potion of life. It is a part of every living thing on our planet. For humans, it is super important because it keeps our bodies working the way they should.

Think about this, our bodies are like a big city. There are many parts that have different jobs to keep the city running smoothly. Water is like the mail delivery service of our body. It carries nutrients and oxygen to all parts of the body so they can do their jobs. When you don't drink enough water, it's like the mail isn't being delivered and parts of the body can't do their jobs.

Water also helps keep our bodies cool. It's like having a built-in air conditioner. When we get hot, we sweat, and as the sweat evaporates, it cools us down. So, drinking water helps us stay cool, especially on hot days or when we are doing a lot of physical activity.

Another job of water is to help us get rid of waste. Our bodies are always cleaning up and fixing things, and this creates waste that needs to be thrown out. Water helps to flush out these wastes through our pee and sweat.

Also, water is super important for our brains. Our brains need a lot of oxygen to think, and water helps to deliver this oxygen. When we are well-hydrated, we can think more clearly and concentrate better.

Physical Fitness 

A study involving more than 150,000 participants found a clear link between low physical fitness and the risk of experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. The researchers measured cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength, finding that those with low combined fitness had 98% higher odds of experiencing depression and 60% higher odds of experiencing anxiety. Notably, the researchers found that cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength individually contributed to changes in mental health risk, but the combination of both was even more significant. While this study shows a correlation, it doesn't necessarily mean that there is a causal relationship between physical fitness and better mental health outcomes. However, the researchers used statistical techniques that suggest that there is likely to be a causal relationship​.

Diet

Research suggests that "healthy" food choices like fruits and vegetables have not only physical but also mental health benefits. One study of over 12,000 adults from Australia found that fruit and vegetable consumption predicted increases in happiness, life satisfaction, and well-being over two years. On the other hand, while there is a common belief that high-fat, high-sugar, or high-caloric foods provide more immediate pleasure, one study found that the consumption of "unhealthy" comfort food had a mood-boosting effect after a negative mood induction, but not to a greater extent than non-comfort or neutral food. Another study assessed complete dietary behavior across eight days in real life, finding that both "healthy" and "unhealthy" foods have a boosting effect on mood, but it was not stated which had a greater impact​.

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So remember, drinking plenty of water every day is like giving your body a big high five! It helps everything work better and keeps you healthy and happy.

Insider Health Today