The Importance of Water to Health and to Human Life
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The Importance of Water To Human Life and to the Operation of the Human Body:- Next to air (oxygen), water is the most essential element to human life; the body usually cannot survive longer than several days without water (a maximum of 1 week).
- Water is essential to the functioning of every single cell and organ system in the human body.
- Water makes up greater than 2/3 of the weight of the human body; the brain is 75% water, blood is 83% water, bones are 22% water, muscles are 75% water, and the lungs are 90% water.
- Water is essential for the efficient elimination of waste products through the kidneys.
- Water regulates body temperature (through perspiration).
- Water serves a lubricant; water forms the fluids surrounding joints and bones, providing cushioning for the joints.
- Water prevents and alleviates constipation (by moving food through the intestines and eliminating waste products).
- Water helps the body to absorb nutrients in the intestines.
- Water plays a role in regulating metabolism.
- Water forms the base for saliva (necessary for consuming and digesting food).
- Water carries nutrients and oxygen to all cells in the body and facilitates all of the chemical processes which occur in the body.
- Water plays a role in the prevention of disease. Drinking adequate amounts of water can reduce the risk of colon and bladder cancer significantly, and some studies have suggested that water may also decrease the risk of breast cancer.
- A decrease of as little as 2% in our body's water supply can have harmful effects and cause symptoms of dehydration, such as daytime fatigue, excess thirst, fuzzy memory, difficulty focusing on tasks and simple math, lightheadedness, and nausea.
- It has been estimated that 75% of Americans have mild, chronic dehydration (excessive daytime fatigue is the major symptom).
- A reduction of 4-5% in body water can result in a 20-30% decrease in work and exercise performance.
- A 10% decrease in water will produce significant health risks.
- A week without water will surely result in death.
- The initial weight loss on any diet is mostly due to the loss of water, and you need to replace that water in order to prevent dehydration.
- Your body requires a lot of water every day; sometimes the body's signals for thirst are misinterpreted as hunger pangs, causing you to pick up something to eat instead of a glass of water.
- Many foods have a high water content; approximately 40% of our daily water intake actually comes from food. Your body may signal that it is hungry in order to get more water through food. This would be OK, except for the fact that this excess food supplies excess calories in addition to water. If you're feeling hunger pangs, it's best to drink a large glass of water, wait 20 minutes, and then decide if you are truly hungry.
- Drinking water can help to fill you up and prevent you from overeating.
- You can exercise more effectively when you drink enough water.
- As you increase muscle mass through exercise, your body will burn more fat (muscles actually assist the body in burning fat). Muscle is made up of more water than fat is, so water becomes even more important as you become more active; dehydration slows down the fat-burning activity of muscles.
- Water helps to maintain the muscle tone and lubricate the joints, helping to reduce muscle fatigue and soreness during exercise.
- Burning calories and fat creates toxins, and water is essential to the process of flushing them out of your body through the kidneys.
- Drinking an adequate amount of water will actually decrease your tendency to retain fluids
- Dehydration results in a decrease in your blood volume, leading to a reduced supply of blood and oxygen to the muscles, causing you to feel tired.
- Caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, some sodas) has a diuretic effect; for every cup of coffee, you need an additional cup of plain water to counteract this effect. The same goes for alcoholic beverages.
- When you are eating a healthy, high-fiber diet you need additional water to dissolve the fiber in your body, helping it to move through the intestinal tract.
- You need to drink at least enough water daily to replace the water that the body normally loses through perspiration, waste removal, and other functions (such as water lost as vapors by the lungs as air is exhaled).
- You will lose more water, and need to replace more water, if it is very hot outside, you exercise vigorously, drink a lot of caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, have a fever, or are losing water through vomiting or diarrhea.
- You need at least 2 quarts, or 8-10 (8 ounce) glasses of water daily; this is the minimum. If you exercise, especially in hot weather, you should increase this to 3-4 quarts.
- Start your day off by drinking 1-2 glasses of water every morning.
- Keep a water pitcher in the refrigerator.
- Carry a water bottle with you.
- Drink water before you feel thirsty; if the thirst mechanism is set off, then you are already mildly dehydrated.
- Drink a few glasses of water before exercising, and drink several ounces of water frequently during your workout.
- Drink pure water; tap water or bottled water is OK.
- Avoid juices which are high in sugar content.
- Diet sodas and other beverages containing artificial sweeteners may cause you to retain more fluid; these should be avoided.
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avjeet tuteja
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Posted on 08/31/2008 at 9:08:07 AM
Jyothi
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Posted on 03/29/2008 at 2:03:36 PM