What happens when you drink two litres of pure water a day

The human body is around 50-75% water so it makes sense that sufficient hydration is necessary to achieve optimal health and wellbeing.  Being a crucial nutrient in blood, muscle and bones, water will help you feel more alert, provide an energy boost and even improve mood. Sipping at least two litres of water a day is one of the easiest and most effective daily habits you can adopt. We’ve listed seven benefits that you might see from drinking pure water.

Brain power

When you’re feeling a bit fatigued, try reaching for your water bottle before you have another coffee. The brain is made up of around three-quarters water so staying hydrated throughout the day supports thinking, focus and concentration. Research by the Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychobiology at the University of Barcelona shows that it doesn't take much for you to start feeling the consequences of dehydration—even at just two percent dehydration your brain is affected and it becomes difficult to remember instructions and information and perform psychomotor tasks.

Tip: Keep a reusable drinking bottle on your desk throughout the day to remind you to drink water.  

Flush toxins

There's a reason that when you’re sick you are encouraged to "sweat it out". Your consumption of water actually helps your body to flush out waste through sweat and urine. Your body is a pretty intelligent structure and is able to naturally detoxify itself by using the kidneys, lungs and liver, but a less than ideal diet and dehydration can restrict those processes. Filling up on water will help your body easily do its thing and keep you healthy.

Healthy skin

The largest external organ in your body is your skin. It's a strange thought, but research by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care points out that it can make up between three and ten kilos of our entire body weight. Our skin really goes to work for us, protecting us from germs, moisture and the suns harmful rays, so give back to your skin by filling your body with plenty of water throughout the day and you'll be treated to soft, wrinkle-free skin in return.

Decreased headaches

Dehydration headaches can bring your day to a grinding halt—the last thing you need when you've got a busy day ahead. It turns out that when you're dehydrated your brain can temporarily shrink, which causes it to pull away from the skull and can lead to pain. If you find yourself suffering from headaches during the day, it could mean you need to drink water more regularly.

Better mood

Your body and brain work in unison to keep you moving and performing at your best at all times. When your insides are getting the support and nutrients they need to prosper, you're going to feel positive effects when it comes to your mental wellbeing as well. In a study of female college students by the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut, greater water consumption over a week was directly linked to a more positive mood amongst the group.

Improved digestion

When it comes to the number of times you're visiting the bathroom each day, that's information you probably don't need to share with the rest of the office. However, if you're finding that things aren't very consistent, or you're feeling constipated, chugging water more frequently could be the solution. The National Institute of Health and Nutrition in Tokyo, Japan backs up this information, recommending an increased fluid intake as a treatment for digestive issues.

Regulated temperature

Sweat is the body's natural cooling system, which is necessary to regulate temperatures and prevent our bodies from overheating. In order for your body to do its job properly, it needs to have water coming in to replace the liquid that's lost naturally from perspiration. It's even more important to remember to hydrate before, during and after exercise to avoid possible fatigue and other side effects of dehydration.