Why Water is Key for Healthy Ageing

The vital necessity of water is often overlooked when it comes to the conversation about healthy ageing. The importance of staying physically active, eating more of the right foods, and less of the wrong ones often take centre stage. Whilst those things are extremely significant for good health, so too is health hydration.

Make Hydration a Habit

As we get older, the sensation of thirst diminishes. Forming healthy hydration habits is an effective way to ensure you’re getting enough water without relying on the sensation of thirst. Thankfully, there are easy ways to form a lasting habit that will benefit you forever:

1. Keeping a reusable bottle of water with you wherever you are (at home or out and about) will make it easy to access water at all times. The reusable bottle will also serve as a constant reminder to sip.

2. Foods can be an excellent source of water too! Add celery, cucumber, fresh tomatoes, and of course watermelon to your daily snacking.

3. Drink a glass of water before meals. This method is called ‘habit stacking’ - it adds a new habit to an existing one (meal time) and helps to incorporate it into routine more successfully.

Benefits of Healthy Hydration

• Improved digestion: drinking water before and during meals stimulates healthy digestion. It improves absorption of nutrients and promotes regular bowel movements.

• Better brain function: proper water intake is associated with faster decision making and improved performance on cognitive tests.

• Boosts energy levels: dehydration is associated with fatigue, and reduced performance. So, keeping up with your daily water needs will help you to feel more energetic.