Drink Water, Live healthy !
Fresh water is necessary for the survival of all living organisms on Earth. Our bodies are made up of about 60% water and we cannot survive more than a few days without it.
Water is a precious substance that meets our physical needs while at the same time being of great spiritual importance to many people. Water is also an integral part of many ecosystems that support us and a myriad of other species.
A loss of just 4% of total body water leads to dehydration, and a loss of 15% can be fatal. Likewise, a person could survive a month without food but wouldn’t survive 3 days without water. This crucial dependence on water broadly governs all life forms.
Water is an essential nutrient and plays a key role in the human body. Every system in the body, from cells and tissues, to vital organs requires water to function.
Did you know that?
· Water carries nutrients to all cells in our body and oxygen to our brain
· Water allows the body to absorb and assimilate minerals, vitamins, amino acids, glucose and other substances
· Water flushes out toxins and waste
· Water helps to regulate body temperature
· Water acts as a lubricant for joints and muscles
Water makes up on average 60% of an adult’s body weight, from 31 % in bones to 83% in lungs.
The human body cannot store water. Every day we are constantly losing water though breathing, sweating and through the release of urine. Ensuring that lost fluids are replenished in a timely manner and that our bodies are correctly hydrated is essential for good health and for the body to operate.
How much water you need depends on a lot of things and varies from person to person. For adults, the general recommendation from The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is about:
- 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) a day for women
- 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) a day for men
You might need more water than someone else. How much water you need also depends on:
- Where you live. You will need more water in hot, humid, or dry areas. You’ll also need more water if you live in the mountains or at a high altitude (3Trusted Source).
- Your diet. If you drink a lot of coffee and other caffeinated beverages you might lose more water through extra urination. You will likely also need to drink more water if your diet is high in salty, spicy, or sugary foods. Or, more water is necessary if you don’t eat a lot of hydrating foods that are high in water like fresh or cooked fruits and vegetables.
- The temperature or season. You may need more water in warmer months than cooler ones due to perspiration.
- Your environment. If you spend more time outdoors in the sun or hot temperatures or in a heated room, you might feel thirstier faster.
- How active you are. If you are active during the day or walk or stand a lot, you’ll need more water than someone who’s sitting at a desk. If you exercise or do any intense activity, you will need to drink more to cover water loss.
- Your health. If you have an infection or a fever, or if you lose fluids through vomiting or diarrhea, you will need to drink more water. If you have a health condition like diabetes you will also need more water. Some medications like diuretics can also make you lose water.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or nursing your baby, you’ll need to drink extra water to stay hydrated. Your body is doing the work for two (or more), after all.
In conclusion, water is vital for all life. Its versatility and adaptability help perform important chemical reactions. Its simple molecular structure helps maintain important shapes for cells’ inner components and outer membrane. No other molecule matches water when it comes to unique properties that support life. Excitingly, researchers continue to establish new properties of water such as additional effects of its asymmetrical structure. Scientists have yet to determine the physiological impacts of these properties. It’s amazing how a simple molecule is universally important for organisms with diverse needs.
DRINK WATER, STAY HEALTHY.
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