Proper Hydration is an Essential Part of Healthy Aging

Are you drinking enough water? Water plays a much larger role in the body than a thirst quencher, especially as you age. Discover the role that water plays in your body and how you can make sure you’re providing your body with the water that it needs.

Why should I be concerned about my water intake?

“As you age, stressors to your body become more imperative to eliminate,” explains Matthew Rennels, DO. As a provider with Icaria powered by ProMedica, a wellness and longevity center, Dr. Rennels helps individuals thrive as they age. And staying hydrated is an important part of staying healthy through the years.

While you may have been able to get away with drinking a glass or two of water a day in your teens or 20s, this isn’t still the case as you get older. Inadequate hydration causes your body to have to work harder to complete essential functions.

“Drink water to live well, longer,” Dr. Rennels shares. “Proper hydration is essential to most body functions, and even has an effect on your outward appearance.”

Adequate daily water intake can result in:

• Improved organ function. Water is an essential part of your body’s internal systems. Staying well-hydrated can help your organs stay healthier, leading to fewer chronic conditions such as heart and kidney disease.
• Better digestion. Water helps break down the food you eat, dissolve its nutrients and deliver those nutrients throughout your body.
• Less joint pain. Water helps lubricate the joints in your body, allowing you to move more smoothly with fewer aches and pain.
• Better skin health. Water helps your skin maintain its elasticity and may help promote an even skin tone and ward off acne. 

What drinks count toward your hydration goal?

“Only count glasses of plain water towards your water total for the day,” Dr. Rennels shares. “Some drinks, such as coffee or soda, have a diuretic effect and may be doing you more harm than good toward your overall hydration. The sugar, sodium and artificial sweeteners found in many sodas and juices can also contribute to dehydration.”

Depending on your lifestyle and health, electrolyte drinks may have a place in your diet. However, it’s important to look at them as a way to replace electrolytes, not as a way to hydrate yourself. “Electrolyte drinks do not focus on hydration – always look toward plain water first,” Dr. Rennels shares. 

Fruits and vegetables are packed with water and other healthy nutrients. They are a great way to add some extra water to your diet along with vital nutrients your body needs.

How much water should I be drinking?

The amount of water you should consume each day varies based on your age, weight, sex and activity level. Underlying health conditions may also affect how much water you should be drinking each day. Talk to your primary care provider about how much water you should be aiming to drink every day. 

Matthew Rennels, DO
Dr. Rennels is a provider with Icaria powered by ProMedica. View his profile.