Water - Nature's Necter

There is a lot of information floating around about the importance of water and varying information about how much one should drink each day. So let’s clear it up once and for all why we should drink water, signs of dehydration, and how much is enough water.

Drink Water

As you probably know, about 75-85% of the human body is composed of water. This water is a part of every cell, tissue, and organ in the human body. The body cannot function without water and from an anatomical and physiological standpoint, water is an absolute necessity! Water:

• Regulates the body temperature and metabolism
• Removes wastes from the body
• Carries nutrients, oxygen and glucose to the cells to produce energy
• Provides natural moisture to the skin and other tissues
• Cushions the joints and helps strengthen muscles
• Serves as a lubricant
• Helps move food through the intestinal tract and eliminates waste- the best detox agent!

Signs of Dehydration

By the time you are thirsty you are already dehydrated! About 75% of Americans are, in fact, dehydrated. A person is just as likely to become dehydrated in the winter vs. the summer. Just through the body’s regulatory activities of respiration, perspiration, urination, and elimination the body loses 2-3 liters of water per day. A 2% drop in the body’s water supply can trigger these signs of dehydration:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Thirst
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Indigestion
• Weight gain
• Fluid Retention
• Dark and pungent urine
  

Drink “Enough” Water

As a rule of thumb, my advice is to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water. For instance, a person weighing 200 pounds should drink 100 oz. of water per day. Remember, the goal is to drink enough water so you do not become thirsty.

Are you wondering if tea, coffee, soft drinks, or low-caloric drinks count towards the “half your body weight” rule? Well…trust and know that nothing beats nature’s nectar, pure and clean water.