Is water really important for your body? Yes! Water is ranked second to oxygen as essential for life. With more than half of your body weight made of water, you couldn’t survive for more than a few days without it. On the other hand, you can survive without food for weeks.
Water is very important for your body especially in a high relative humid like Philippines. Water is used in every cell of your body. Water travels throughout your body carrying nutrients, oxygen, and wastes to and from your cells and organs. It keeps your body cool as part of your body’s temperature regulating system. Water acts as a lubricant for your joints, your mouth and digestive system in saliva, and in your nose, throat, eyes, and stomach as part of mucus. Water aids in digestion and absorption of food, as well as in the removal of wastes from your body. And since water has zero calories, It also helps you maintain a healthy weight.
Everyday your body loses 2-3 quarts (8-12 cups) of water through sweat, urination, and evaporation (through your skin and lungs). Your body loses more water when you exercise, live in hot or low humidity environments, consume high fiber diets, and drink beverages containing caffeine or alcohol. It is important to drink at least 8-10 cups of water a day for a healthy body and to avoid heat stroke or exhaustion.
By not drinking enough water, dehydration may come. The symptoms that can cause dehydration includes: thirst, headaches, lethargy, mood changes and slow responses, dry nasal passages, dry or cracked lips, dark-colored urine, weakness, tiredness, confusion and hallucinations.
Here are some tips to replenishing water in your body. You should drink plain water. You may add a slice of lemon or lime. Drink non-calorie or low-calorie flavored water. Eat foods with higher water content such as fruits and vegetables, like cucumbers, watermelon, other melons, lettuce, celery, grapes, oranges, bell peppers, broccoli and tomatoes. Drink non-fat milk. Drink decaffeinated beverages. Caffeine is a diuretic that makes you urinate more often. Carry a water bottle in the car, at home, and at work. Ask for water when dining out.
For a healthier you, do not wait until you are thirsty to drink water—you may already be slightly dehydrated. Thirst is usually an indicator that body fluids are well below required levels for optimal function. Drink water before you become thirsty or feel a dry mouth and eat different healthy varieties of foods every day.
Drink water often and stay healthy! (KLM/AMF)
Reference:
https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/new/Newsletters/ImportanceWater.pdf
