The Importance of Drinking water

Flushing Toxins

Many massage therapists will emphasize to drink extra water to flush out toxins. Water has a unique way of enhancing the body in a positive way. When we are hydrated, our circulatory system can move blood and lymphatic fluids more easily throughout the body. During a massage toxins and metabolic waste are released from the muscles, bringing in fresh blood with much needed nutrients to those muscles. Being well hydrated is important for the lymphatic system to function, removing toxin particles which were broken out of the muscle fibers and into the blood stream. Imagine the circulatory system as an advanced highway system that expands and contracts depending on how much water is around. When the body is well hydrated the veins expand and traffic can move around more freely, however when faced with dehydration the veins in the body contract, shrinking the advanced highway system down to a single lane, work construction zone.
Urination is an important function of the well hydrated body, it’s what allows us to begin expelling all the toxins and other metabolic waste. When the bladder is empty, the kidneys process more waste collected by the lymphatic system, filtering toxins out of the body.

Being well hydrated can provide the following benefits:
• Improved joint mobility.
• Increased metabolism.
• Mood stabilization.
• Keeping the skin supple.
• Aiding in digestive health.
• Keeping your body cool.

Improved Circulation

As mentioned from above in flushing toxins out if we look at the idea the circulatory system is an advanced highway system, expanding and contracting depending on how much water is around then it’s possible to see how staying hydrated helps to keep circulation optimized. When the body is well hydrated the veins expand and allow the blood and nutrients to move around more freely. However, when dehydrated the veins in the body contract, shrinking and making circulation rather sluggish.

Decreased Chance of Muscle Injury

When the body is well hydrated, the muscle fibers are hydrated as well. Staying hydrated during exercise is important to protect the muscle fibers from damage. If a muscle is warmed up, and well hydrated, there is a lot of flexibility in the muscle fibers and the group of fibers have the strength to perform some strenuous activity and be fine. However, when the body is dehydrated the muscle fibers are not as flexible and are more likely to be injured during strenuous activity. Think of muscle fibers like beef jerky, when the beef jerky is still hydrated it folds and bends while staying intact. Alternatively, with the very dry beef jerky if it were folded in half, it would probably tear, which is what happens in some muscle injuries.