How to “Water” your hair for hair growth

The most important thing we can do for our body is drink water! In the UK, it's often claimed that we are a nation of over drinkers when it comes to alcohol - but how do we fare with water and how does it benefit our hair?

According to the NHS Eatwell Guide, the government recommends 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluids a day. Water, lower fat milks and lower sugar or sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, all count. But how do we do when it comes to drinking water? A survey carried out by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) showed that 89% of the population is not drinking enough water to maintain healthy hydration levels. Highlights show that women are more hydrated than men, with 20% of men drinking no water at all during the day compared with 13% of women. Age is also a significant factor in hydration levels, with a staggering quarter (25%) of those over 55 stating they drink no water during the day; this compares with just 7% of people aged 25-34. Survey Results.

Effects of dehydration
Dehydration is not something to be taken lightly. Normal signs of minor dehydration include headaches, dizziness and fatigue but the worse the drop in hydration, the more severe the symptoms. A drop in body water of 15 per cent or more is often fatal!

The Health Benefits of Water
Here are some of the reasons why we need water;

1 - Lubricates the joints
2 - Forms saliva and mucus - Saliva helps us digest our food and keeps the mouth, nose, and eyes moist.
3 - Delivers oxygen throughout the body
4 - Boosts skin health and beauty
5 - Cushions the brain, spinal cord, and other sensitive tissues - Dehydration can affect brain structure and function
6 - Regulates body temperature
7 - Digestive system depends on it
8 - Flushes body waste
9 - Helps maintain blood pressure - A lack of water can cause blood to become thicker
10 - Airways need it
11 - Makes minerals and nutrients accessible
12 - Prevents kidney damage
13 - Boosts performance during exercise
14 - Weight loss - Pre-loading with water before meals can help prevent overeating by creating a sense of fullness.
15 - Reduces the chance of a hangover

It's fair to say that the benefits of water are very important to our overall health, but how can a lack of water by detrimental to our hair?

Hair and Water
Water is essential for the health of hair for a number of reasons. First, the hair is one quarter water. That fact alone should accentuate how important water is for the hair. Water also carries vital vitamins to the hair root and hydrates the entire strand from the inside. It is the main source of energy for hair cells, including the cells that generate new growth. Water also clears the body from pollutants, which also causes hair loss. Without proper hydration, you will see dryness in your hair and skin.

Hair Problems from Dehydration
Hair loss is just one of the things that can result from dehydration. Experts believe that drinking the recommended amount of water can help other hair and scalp issues, such as hair thinning and dandruff. When a person is suffering from dehydration, hardly any of their water supply is getting to their hair. When the water supply is low, the body must ration out the water to vital parts of the body, such as the brain and heart. This leads to excessive shedding because the hair is practically dying from thirst and a slow down of hair growth because the roots aren't moisturised enough to stimulate new hair growth.

Another form of dehydration is hair dehydration. Hair dehydration may happen before complete body dehydration because of the way the body rations out the water that you consume. The circulation of the scalp is decreased and hardly any water is able to seep into the hair roots. Even if the body starts to retain water to preserve the water supply, exposure to sun, chemicals and wind rob vital water from the hair. When the hair dries from the inside out, hair loss is sudden and drastic. This can lead to balding spots.

Hair breakage from dehydration is also common. This is caused when the hair becomes dry and brittle due to undernourishment, eventually snapping off along the shaft, leaving a frizzy split end behind.

Restoring hair health
Having an adequate water intake is all part and parcel of maintaining an individual’s overall health. The hair loss conditions Telogen Effluvium and Diffuse Hair Loss (Chronic Telogen Effluvium) cause thinning hair all over the scalp. They are often closely linked to mental and physical wellbeing, and dehydration can compound these problems.

So what's the solution? Yes, you guessed it, DRINK WATER.

How to Get Thicker-Looking Hair Now
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