The Importance of Drinking Plenty of Water

With the onslaught of summer it might be just the right time to remind us how water is absolutely vital to our survival and to keeping every single system in our body healthy and efficient.

Despite the fact that water has no calorie value, it is an essential part of our diet. We could survive for several weeks without food, but without water we would perish in days. This is because around 70 per cent of our body is made up of water and without it the body cannot operate.

Every function in our body takes place in water; it is the solvent that carries nutrients, hormones, antibodies and oxygen through your bloodstream and lymphatic system. Water is also necessary for the elimination of waste from our body. If we do not drink enough, our body must ration and recycle water so that toxic waste is dumped into our tissues, fat, joints and muscles instead of being eliminated.

Classic symptoms of not drinking enough water are headaches, poor concentration, tiredness, poor complexion, persistent kidney and urine infections and constipation.

How much water do we really need?

Just because we don't feel thirsty doesn't mean we are drinking enough fluids. The average person gets by on a few cups of tea or coffee a day, but we should be drinking two liters (eight glasses) per day. This may seem like a lot, but our body loses up to 12 cups of water per day in perspiration, breathing and urination.

Of course, requirements vary; if we exercise or the weather is hot, we sweat and need to increase our fluid intake. Quality is also important. Caffeine drinks are diuretics, stimulating our kidneys to expel water, while alcoholic drinks actually dehydrate the body. Plain water is the best means of hydrating our body.

Every part of our body consists largely of water and requires its presence to function. Learn how water is used by our body's vital systems.

Upper organs:

• Lungs - These are moistened by water, which facilitates the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide when we breathe.

• Body temperature - Water acts as a coolant for the body, helping it to lose heat through perspiration when we exercise.