Top 5 Reasons to Drink H2O

August 10, 2021

Did you know your risk for diabetes is connected to the amount of water you drink? Hope Hartig, APRN, CNP, CDCES, is a nurse practioner and certified diabetes educator at the Mankato Clinic Diabetes Care Center explains the connection.

“Drinking an adequate amount of water daily can help you lower your risk for type 2 diabetes. Studies show that drinking water may help control blood sugar and insulin levels. And when water is your drink of choice, you avoid soda, sports drinks and other beverages high in sugar. Limiting sugary drinks also supports healthy lifestyles which play a key role in preventing type 2 diabetes,” Hope explained. 

Hope Hartig, APRN, CNP, CDCES
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Top 5 reasons to drink H2O

  1. Water is good for your heart. Your heart pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood daily. Staying hydrated helps your heart pump blood more easily through the blood vessels to the muscles. In turn, your muscles work more efficiently too.
  2. Improve mood and memory. About 75% of the brain is water. Even slight dehydration can lower your concentration, brain function, cause fatigue and affect your mood. Water fuels our brain. If you’re losing focus and feeling crabby, reach for some water.
  3. Water cushions your joints. Water lubricates and cushions our joints and protects our spinal cord and other sensitive tissues. Think of water as a shock absorber for your body. When your joints feel good, you can move with more ease and less discomfort. 
  4. Water aids digestion and nourishment. Your body can break down food more easily when you drink water during or after your meal. Water helps your body digest food more effectively, absorb nutrients and flush out toxins. Water also helps prevent constipation and kidney stones.
  5. Water regulates body temperature. Our sweat helps cool our bodies when it’s hot or we exert ourselves through exercise, sports, work and play. It’s important to replenish by drinking extra water when it’s hot, you are active or both!

Expert Advice

“Water is an essential nutrient. Keep a water bottle with you and refill it throughout the day. On hot days, try freezing water bottles to bring along so you have cold water all day. Many people also enjoy a wedge of lime or lemon in their water. Choosing water when eating out is a good life hack that saves you money,” said Abby Tibodeau, RD, LD, CDCES, a dietitian and certified diabetes educator at the Mankato Clinic Diabetes Care Center. 

Abby Tibodeau, RD, LD, CDCES