I’m sure you learned in school that more than half of your body is made up of water (newborns are ¾ fluids and ¼ solid body). It is important in plasma, and in and outside our cells. Our skin and body tissues, including our cartilage, are guzzlers, and every part of our body requires quenching. Surprisingly, the brain is the biggest drinker- almost 85 percent of which is concentrated there. When your brain is low on fluids it has a bad effect on your memory and other parts of your body.
The majority of this water comes from what we drink, and the rest from food and leftover cellular metabolism. We lose 80% of our fluids through our urine, 20% from sweating or through the skin or respiratory system.
You know that water conducts electricity, well that is so true within our bodies. Water is the driving force for the electrical activity to run smoothly within our brains and throughout our entire bodies. It runs through our veins, arteries, glands and organs as it feeds, pumps, and carries fluids from place to place. It also regulates our body’s temperature.
When we become dehydrated, when our supply of water and fluids is less than our body needs, we are in trouble. Unfortunately, by the time we realize it we are already beginning to dehydrate. A strange side effect of dehydration is that the body will store water in the tissues (fluid retention) so it does not go completely dry.
Many people are in a constant state of dehydration, at least on a small scale. Although they are not in danger of heading for the emergency room just yet, there are signs that should not be ignored, such as:
- Thirst or dry mouth
- Dark urine
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Cloudy Thinking
- Skin Rashes
- Kidney Pain
- High Blood Pressure
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Weight gain and edema
Our bodies need water in order to survive. We need it to detox our systems and we need it to lubricate all parts of us. We also need it to allow the neuro-transmitters (brain cells) to communicate correctly with each other.
If you eat a lot of salty foods it draws water out of your tissues (causing them to cramp). Drinking at least 6-8 ounces of water a day is recommended. If you drink coffee, drink at least one 8-oz. cup of water for every cup of coffee. Before exercising drink at least one or two glasses of water prior to starting.
If you don’t like the taste of water, add a couple drops of lemon or lime juice. All fluids will help, but water is best for you. Note: Most bottled water has been proven to be from the same water supply as tap water, so there is no need to stock up on bottled water to get your recommended daily dose of water.
Source:
Bottom Line.com