The Water Factor

We all know that a body needs water to survive, but do you know why? Sure, to keep from dehydrating. That is the simple answer, but it goes much deeper than that.

Water can account for 80% of body weight at birth, and about 50% in the elderly. If more water can be equated to the beginning of life, and less water can be equated to the end of life, doesn’t it make sense to drink an ample amount of water on a daily basis during life? Studies have shown that over fifty percent of American adults are chronically dehydrated. This is not immediately life threatening, but it is a factor in weight gain.

Water’s Functions
Virtually all of the body’s functions require water: digestion, absorption, transporting nutrients, building tissue, and maintaining temperature. Water is in the cells, the spaces between the cells, and in the blood plasma. It is used in the transportation of nutrients to each cell, and to help in the excretion of waste to the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and skin. Water is also used in the brain, spine, and joints, and it helps protect organs. An adequate amount of water is needed for the body to properly and efficiently digest and dispose of excess toxins.

Research shows that consuming at least five glasses of water a day reduces the risk of heart attacks and stroke by as much as fifty percent.

How Much Water?
The body’s primary gauge for water is thirst, which is a fail-safe indicator. If you wait until your body signals you to hydrate (drink fluids), it has already been too long since you last hydrated your body.

The body loses two and one-half to three quarts, or more, of water in an average day. This means that the body needs about three quarts a day or ten to twelve cups of water a day. You might be relieved to know that only eight cups a day is needed when a person has a balanced diet. The difference is obtained from your body extracting water from the foods that we consume. That is only four typical size (16.9 oz) water bottles a day.

Drink up!