How can you tell if you’re drinking enough water? We are sure you have heard the recommended is 8 glasses for a daily dose, while the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine specifies about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) for women.

But what is this consumption of H20 actually doing for your body? Maintaining adequate hydration levels does wonders in enhancing your athletic performance and facilitating muscle recovery. But how?

To understand the clear role water plays in your fitness regimen means first learning how it interacts with the cells in your body.

The Life Sustaining Role of Water

Water Transports Nutrients

Water is vital for many life-sustaining functions. One of its most critical roles is to transport nutrients and waste (we will get to this later) within the intricate network of veins and arteries throughout our bodies. Your muscles actually break down in exercise, so it's key that we rebuild with nutrients at the cellular level. The better hydrated you are, the more efficient this process becomes. 

Water Lubricates Joints

The water we consume serves as a shock absorber for our joints. Fluids not only provide cushion for impact but also protection against wear and tear. Which is especially useful for your spine, knees, and other weight-bearing joints.

Water Aids Thermoregulation

Thermoregulation is just a fancy way to describe water’s unique ability to control your body temperature. The water you drink transports heat away from your muscles and to your skin surface. Resulting in a cooler core temperature.

Water is a Rich Source of Essential Minerals

The water we drink provides — in trace amounts — essential minerals such as magnesium, fluoride, and calcium: which are vital to maintaining proper function of your muscles and other organs.

Hydrating for Performance and Recovery

Increases Strength and Endurance

One of the first signs of dehydration that occurs in the body is a reduction in muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance. These symptoms can occur with as little as a 1-2% loss of body water.

Work hard, sweat hard, then replenish your body after your GymnasticBodies workout.

“Pre-hydrating” before a workout is an effective way to start ahead of the hydration curve. Your muscles (including the ones in your heart) are made up of mostly water, and they require plenty of it to maintain their strength and endurance.

Out With The Old, In With The New

As we mentioned earlier, one of water’s many roles in the human body is to transport nutrient-rich blood to your muscles while transporting metabolic waste out and away. This is a vital function necessary for muscle repair and recovery.

This means that when you partake of the recommended 8 daily glasses, the water you sip down is helping you become stronger and aiding in quicker recovery from your workouts. Which, as far as we are concerned, is what makes water the most effective performance enhancing drug out on the market.

How can you ensure that you are drinking enough water?

You just know. When you feel clear-headed, aware, cool, and (here's a big indicator) not thirsty, you're hydrated. But don't wait until you're dizzy, tired, and parched. Make a habit to drink water.

Habits aren't always easy to form and maintain. If you find that you are having trouble drinking the necessary amount of water to keep your health afloat, be sure to check out GB Thrive. This habit-based approach to nutrition for optimal health and performance will show you the way to making water a part of your everyday life.

GymnasticBodies daily water intake means supporting you with healthy habits by giving you the tools necessary to maintain peak health and performance.