The Importance of Water
Water is the single most important nutrient in our bodies. It is involved in every function of our bodies. You can live 5 to 7 weeks without food, but the average adult can last no more than 5 days without water. Your body loses almost 2 cubic litres of water a day through perspiration, urination and exhalation.
Caffeine and sugar are stealing water from our bodies. Drinking sufficient amounts of the right kind of water will do more to improve your health than anything else you can do!
An average male adult’s body consists of 62-65% water, compared to women, who have 51-55% water. Men have more water in their bodies because they generally have more muscle mass, whereas women have a higher % of body fat.
Water plays a vital role in regulating body temperature, transporting nutrients and oxygen to cells, removing waste, cushioning joints, protecting organs and tissues.
Water for Health & Daily Living
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Water is the main lubricant in the joint spaces and help prevent arthritis and back pain
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Water increases the efficiency of immune system
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Water prevents clogging of arteries in the heart & brain, and thus helps to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
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Water is directly connected to brain function – it is needed for efficient manufacture of neurotransmitters, including serotonin; it is needed for the production of hormones made by the brain, such as melatonin; it can prevent attention deficit disorder (ADD); and it improves our attention span.
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Water helps prevent memory loss as we age, reducing the risk of degenerate diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease.
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Water affects our appearance, making our skin smoother and giving it sparkling lustre and reduces the effects of aging.
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When your body lacks the water it needs (like a drought condition), it goes into a rationing mode, keeping the vital organs (brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys) well watered with nutrients. But as a result, non-vital organs (like skin, joints, gastrointestinal tract) may suffer, and symptoms of dehydration usually show up there first.
Major signs from dehydration
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Joint pains & arthritis. Joint cartilage provides the smooth surface so joints can glide easily during movement. Cartilage is about 5 times slicker than ice, and is made up of 80% water. If cartilage is robbed of fluid, the joints will eventually creak, crack and pop, like a door on a rusty hinge. The increase friction causes them to degenerate quicker, eventually leading to arthritis.
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High blood pressure. Picture garden hose. Constrict water flow with your thumb, and it will increase the water pressure inside. So when body is mildly dehydrated, your blood pressure may rise. Drink enough water, and constricted blood vessels usually begin to open up, lowering blood pressure.
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Digestion problems. Water is the hero of gastrointestinal tract as the mucous layer in your stomach is 98% water! It protects against stomach acid, and it contains bicarbonate, which neutralizes stomach acid. Without a thick mucous layer, you may experience chronic burning whenever you eat.
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Asthma. Asthmatics usually have high histamine levels. Histamine is a neuro-transmitter that causes the muscles in the bronchial tubes to constrict, restricting air flow. Your bronchial tubes need adequate hydration to prevent constriction.
The Skinny On Skin
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Is the largest organ of the body and weighs about 6 kg
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Grows faster than any other organ
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Is tough, flexible, and water proof!
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Stores water, fat, and vitamin D
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Protects body from germs, heat, cold and sunlight
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Is replaced approximately every 30 days
Lose Weight
Water can help to manage your weight. When you are dehydrated, your body secretes aldosterone, a hormone that causes water retention. Research shows being dehydrated may cause your body’s fat deposit to increase.
Improve memory
The human brain is about 1/5 of total body weight, and brain cells are said to be 85% water. The brain is the only part of body that is constantly active. So it must have water to remain active. So without adequate hydration these processes can slow down.
Water revives cells
Cellular dehydration affects our cells function. The first sign of failing health is a shift of fluid from inside the cell to outside of the cell. About 2/3 of body fluid is inside the cells, and the rest outside. Cells die when they do’t have enough energy to maintain the membrane pumps, which maintain the balance of water inside and outside.
So next time when you are tempted to try latest expensive skin cream or pop a pill, try drinking enough water. It will keep your skin hydrated, elastic, attractive and healthy.
Water is a powerful nutrient to slow the aging process and to maintain your brain & memory.
Our body thrives in an alkaline environment since it is able to detoxify more effectively (our tissues get rid of impurities more efficiently) than in an acidic environment. Cancer patient bodies are almost always very acidic and toxic.
