Do we drink enough water?

Water, the magic drink that is of vital importance for the human body and its various functions, should be your go-to beverage as a must-have alternative to caffeinated drinks like coffee or cola being mindful that it is best for your health to drink water before your body feels thirsty to keep yourself properly hydrated



It wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe water as a source of vital importance for both the human body and the healthy flow of the ecological balance. I'm sure that most of you already know that three-fourths of the human body consists of water. The human body experiences dehydration all day long in order to effectively fulfill its vital functions. If there weren't such a thing as dehydration, the human body would not need the daily 2-to-6 liters of water recommended by health professionals. The U.S.-based National Board of Research recommends that a person should consume 1 milliliter of water per calorie consumed daily. Hence, it can be said that a person who consumes the recommended daily 2,000 calories should consume 2 liters of water every day. The last guide published by the National Research Council provided precise numbers regarding the daily water intake requirement. According to the guide, men should consume 3.7 liters of water per day compared to women who need 2.7 liters a day (under the condition that they are not pregnant or lactating). The amount of water we consumed via food was also taken into consideration in this calculation.

A study conducted by the National Academy of Medicine in the U.S. indicated that 43 percent of men and 41 percent of women are not consuming the recommended daily amount of water. The same study drew attention to the age factor in water consumption, stating that people, especially those over the age of 50, do not place enough importance on the amount of water they consume. Studies show that people's daily water consumption decreases as age increases. However, we must remember that water has numerous benefits for our bodies; helping with digestion, boosting the immune system and regulating the body's basal temperature. Furthermore, adequate water intake (of the minimum 2 liters per day) helps prevent amnesia.

Human body 70 pct water

While discussing the health benefits of drinking water, let us also consider the reasons we must consume this pure liquid.

Tears are made of water. Water is the most important agent functioning in tear production during stressful and emotional moments and helps keep the eyes moist.

Consuming water helps improve bladder function, cleanses the kidneys and helps prevent urinary tract infections. Yes, one of the reasons for cloudy urine or bacteria in the urine is inadequate water consumption. The more water you consume, the more properly your kidneys will function, allowing your body to expel toxins easily.

Nasal flow and mucus are also common problems that affect the average person, making about 1 liter of water-based fluid per day. While some of the water in mucus contains protein and antibodies, mucus functions to protect the body's organs from harmful substances.

Another organ that requires water are the salivary glands. A total of 99 percent of the saliva our bodies produce function in enzyme digestion, fighting microbes and protecting our teeth. Regular consumption of water helps to boost performance and ensures that our salivary glands are functioning properly.

About 92 percent of plasma, the liquid part of human blood, consists of water. To be able to meet proper blood functions such as the distribution of nutrients to the body, conveying metabolic waste to the kidneys and keeping blood pressure at safe levels, men should consume minimum 16 glasses of water per day while women must consume 11 glasses a day.

The human body loses electrolytes like potassium and sodium by sweating. Factors like increased body temperature after exercise, burning calories and disposing of toxins, all increase the amount that our bodies sweat. To be able to compensate for bodily water loss, mineral water or regular, purified water should be consumed.

If you have constipation problems, this means that you don't consume enough water. One of agents applied to compensate for the water loss caused by dehydration, is the stool. The water absorbed from the stool, leaves it in a solid and firm condition and limits its function within the bowels, resulting in constipation. Water also accelerates digestion. The effective digestion of nutrients is of crucial importance for our bodies, to ensure that we are getting the maximum nutritional benefits from the foods that we eat. The human body has a perfect functioning system. When a person drinks water, the human system firstly detects the organs which need the water the most, and sends the water to these parts of the body directly. Consuming enough water is sure to make you feel more fresh and alive.

If you are on a diet, water consumption is once again of crucial importance. Consuming a minimum of eight glasses of water per day will accelerate the burning of calories by boosting your metabolism and the functioning of the thyroid gland.

Another reason to consume adequate amounts of water is regarding energy. Exhausting, fatigue and daytime sleepiness in the early hours of the day can be the result of a lack of energy. Consuming water makes you feel more active and it will help your adrenaline hormones to function more regularly.

Consuming water helps to curb the cravings for other beverages caused by thirst. Studies conducted on 1,100 adults by the BMC Public Health Labor Organization in 2015 revealed that regular water consumption gradually reduces the urge to consume caffeinated beverages like coffee and Coca-Cola.

To effectively rid your body of toxins, you need pure toxin fillers; in other words, good functioning kidneys. Functioning non-stop for 24 hours, the kidneys play an important role in the body's disposal of toxins and the excess water within the blood. For the proper functioning of the kidneys, one's blood must be thin enough. Thin blood reaches the kidneys quickly and effectively as it is able to move through the body's veins with ease. Proper kidney function is crucial to the body's ability to perform effectively.

The anti-diuretic hormone vasopressin, which responds to dehydration, is related to one's ability to perceive caution and alertness. Studies conducted at East London University show that in order for the body to be able to perform basic duties such as identifying an event and responding quickly, it is crucial that we consume the proper amount of water.

Water is a vital drink that affects daily life and human health. You shouldn't wait to feel thirsty to consume this "magic drink," which is crucial for the survival of all living creatures.