The human body is made up of 60% water. That’s why it’s so important to stay hydrated. Your body will feel the effects of inadequate hydration pretty quickly. It can cause headaches, muscle pain, dizziness, and in severe cases, insufficient hydration can be life-threatening. But once you start drinking enough water every day, you’ll begin to see some great benefits, including:

• Better physical performance. If you want to run faster or lift more, drink water. Your muscles are made up of about 80% water, so if you want them to perform well, drink your water.
• Increased energy. Kick the energy drinks to the curb and drink more water instead. Scientists have found that mild dehydration can impair brain function. Good hydration, on the other hand, has been shown to boost energy levels and mood.
• Better health. Drinking plenty of water can help reduce constipation, prevent kidney stones and headaches, and even help improve your vein health. Water helps to keep your blood thin so that it flows better through your body, which can help prevent inflammation and blockages.

These are just a few of the benefits of drinking water. Don’t believe us? Try to stay hydrated. You could start with the standard advice of eight cups of water a day, which has been the gold standard of hydration guidelines for years now. But, if you want to reap the benefits of proper hydration, consider a few factors:

• Your weight. The more you weigh, the more water you need to drink. The great thing is, water can help with weight loss. Drinking water helps promote your metabolism, which can increase how many calories you burn.
• Your activity level. The more active you are, the more water your body needs to consume. Replenishing your water levels before and after physical activity will help you perform better and recover faster.
• Your health. Some health conditions can be improved by increasing your water intake. If you suffer from a chronic health condition, talk to your doctor about your hydration needs. Proper hydration can reduce swelling and inflammation, which often exacerbate chronic diseases. Many of our vein patients benefit from increasing their water intake to help prevent varicose and spider vein issues.

Your body needs water. If you start to make drinking enough water each day a priority, you’ll begin to notice a difference. Try using a water calculator like this to determine how much you need or talk to a health care professional. You may be making more trips to the bathroom, but your body will thank you!

A vegan or vegetarian diet used to be a rare thing, but it’s becoming more common every day. Many people have adopted a vegan or plant-based lifestyle for various reasons, including improving their health. Adopting a plant-based diet can be very beneficial. Some of the health benefits of eating vegan or plant-based food include:

• Reduced risk of heart disease
• Increased nutrients in your diet
• Protection against cancer
• Reduced risk of developing diabetes
• Better weight management

A vegan or vegetarian diet can even help to improve your vein issues. However, adopting a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle will not magically make your varicose or spider vein issues disappear. But it may make it easier to manage your condition. In fact, a plant-based diet can help improve your vein health in a variety of ways such as:

• Reducing your levels of sodium. Eating more plant-based foods can reduce the amount of sodium you ingest. Cutting down on foods rich in sodium can improve your vein health and reduce painful side effects such as swelling and leg pain.
• Increased fiber consumption. A high-fiber diet helps to keep your bowel system in check and prevent constipation. A healthy bowel system can reduce pressure on the valves in your veins from straining caused by constipation.
• Increased levels of potassium. Potassium helps to reduce water retention and may reduce leg pain and swelling. Plant-based foods that are high in potassium include leafy greens, bananas, potatoes, and broccoli.
• Increased flavonoid consumption. Foods that contain flavonoids improve your circulation by reducing your blood pressure and relaxing your blood vessels. Many vegetables contain flavonoids, including onions, bell peppers, spinach, broccoli, citrus fruit, apples, blueberries and even garlic.
• Weight loss. If you start to eat more plant-based food instead of processed food, you may experience weight loss. Losing weight is a great way to reduce the likelihood of developing vein issues.

It’s not always easy to make a big dietary change like going vegan. But adopting some vegan behaviors is a great first step to incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet.

Start slow, by trying one vegan or vegetarian meal a week or daily. You can also add vegetables and fruit to each meal. Adopting these healthy behaviors can improve your vein health. Start eating more plant-based foods, and you’ll notice a difference in how you feel.