Water is the most abundant substance in the human body as well as the most common substance on earth. On average, body weight is 50 to 70% water. The specific percentage varies from person to person, relating to body composition, age, and gender. Body tissues of all types contain water, some more than others. In your body, blood is about 83% water; lean muscle tissue is about 73% water; body fat, about 25%; and bones, about 22% water. So with all of this water in our bodies, you can see why is is an essential nutrient to consume.
Replace Your Losses
In order to maintain a constant temperature and to dispose of waste, your body loses about a half gallon of liquid every day through sweat, exhaled air, and urine. During a strenuous workout you can sweat off up to an additional quart of liquid an hour, and even more on a hot, humid day. All of this water loss needs to be replaced each day. If your body fluids become depleted, you become dehydrated. Extreme dehydration is not a concern if your diet is reasonably balanced, your activity level is not excessive, and you're not stranded in a desert. But minor dehydration is sneakier, because it's not always easy to catch. it can make you feel grumpy and tired and make it hard to concentrate. Minor dehydration can be avoided easily by drinking enough fluids throughout the day. But if you tend to drink liquids only when you're thirsty, you may not be drinking enough of them. Thirst does help you gauge your level of hydration, but it's not quite as reliable a guide as you might assume. By the time you actually feel thirsty, you are actually already dehydrated! So don't wait until you're thirsty to consume fluids, try to consistently drink water throughout the day the remain hydrated.
Thirst in Disguise
It's important to recognize that thirst and hunger are both physiologically and psychologically driven. When you feel hungry between meals, what you may be experiencing is dehydration. Thirst can often disguise itself as hunger, and when you think you're hungry what you may be - even though you don't realize it - is thirsty. the next time you feel a little hungry, try reaching for a glass of water. You may be surprised that the refreshment it brings you turns off that hunger switch until your next meal.
Fluid Consumption: how much is enough?
The amount of water your body needs is based on the amount of energy your body uses. Te recommendation for adults is 1 to 1.5 milliliters of water per calorie of energy expended. That's 1 to 1.5 liters for every 1000 calories. In other words, most people need about 8 to 12 cups of water each day. In healthy people, water intake and water loss balance out. If you should consume too much water than your body needs, your kidneys simply eliminate the excess. When you don't consume enough, your body may trigger a sensation of thirst. As you may know, drinking water is not the only way to get the recommended amount of fluids each day. Most foods contain at least a small amount of water. In fact, some fruits and vegetables are up to 97% water. Consuming these water-containing foods will also help you stay hydrated.
Drinking for Health
To keep your body well hydrated, consume enough water throughout the day. Because milk, juice, and other beverages are mostly water, they count toward your daily water intake, too. Caffeinated beverages and alcoholic beverages, however, are not your body's best sources of water. Caffeine and alcohol at like diuretics, causing the body to lose water through increased urination.
Reduce your carbon footprint and use a reusable water bottle!!
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