Water, how important is it to you?

by Midas

water

How long will you survive without food and water? A person could survive only eight to ten days without water, whereas it takes weeks or even months to die from a lack of food. That’s how important water is to our body. Every body cell, tissue and organ needs water to function. Actually two thirds of our body is made up of water. If we dried out, we would only weight only half as much.

Our brains function in a watery gel. Our blood flows because of its water content. Water circulates through our blood and lymphatic system, transport nutrients and oxygen to the cells. It is essential to metabolism, providing a medium for complex chemical reactions. Water is the agent that removes wastes products and excess we have eaten through urine and sweat and stools. Water softens stools to prevent constipation. Water also maintains the natural balance between dissolved salts and water inside and outside of cells. Our joints and soft tissues depend on the cushioning that water provides for them. Water lubricates the air flowing over our nasal passages. It coats the tiny air sacs of our lungs and permits them to expand and contract without collapsing, by acting as a solution for the “surfactant” or surface tension lowering chemical in the lungs. While water has no caloric value and therefore is not an energy source, without it in our diet we could not digest or absorb the foods we eat or eliminate the body’s digestive waste.

Water also helps regulate body temperature. When exercising or, when we are exposed to increase temperatures, water helps prevent exhaustion.

When we do not drink sufficient water, the blood concentrates. With a hematocrit value higher than 50, cardiovascular events double in men and increase fourfold in women. So, drink more water than your thirst mandates you.

How much water a person need depends largely on the volume of urine and sweat lost daily, and water needs are increased if a person suffers from diarrhea or vomiting or undergoes heavy physical exercise. At least 6-8 glasses of water per day is needed by our body for the various organs to work efficiently.

Water is replenished by drinking liquids. However NOT ALL liquids we drink counts as water, caffeinated drinks such as soft drinks, tea or coffee and alcohol based drinks increase the output of urine and thus dehydrate the body. So instead of ordering those things when you dine out, just simply say,”Water please.”