WATER

Water- liquid diamond :)

Plain Water, is one of the most essential elements to health and is so important that your body actually has a specific system in place to prevent dehydration and ensure your survival. Water might be everywhere, but one must never take it for granted.

Water makes up more than two thirds of human body weight, and without water, we would die in a few days. The human body requires water for the most basic bodily functions. Human brain is made up of 95% water, blood is 82% and lungs 90%. An average adult body contains 42 liters of water and with just a small loss of 2.7 liters he or she can suffer from dehydration, displaying symptoms of irritability, fatigue, nervousness, dizziness, weakness and headaches. Mild dehydration is also one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue. An estimated 75% of Americans have mild and chronic dehydration. Pretty scary statistic for a developed country where water is readily available through the tap or bottle water.

Water is important to the mechanics of the human body. The body cannot work without it, just as a car cannot run without gas and oil. In fact, all the cell and organ functions that make up our entire anatomy and physiology depend on water for their functioning.

Thus drinking enough water and plus some more is very important for your body. A normal healthy person should be drinking 64oz (about 2 liters) per day.

Not drinking enough water does not lead only to dehydration but also weight gain…..

·         Water serves as a lubricant

Water serves as a lubricant in digestion and almost all other body processes. The water in our saliva helps facilitate chewing and swallowing, ensuring that food will slide easily down the esophagus. Water also lubricates our joints and cartilages and allows them to move more fluidly. When dehydrated, the body rations water away from the joints. Less lubrication equals greater friction and that can cause joint, knee and back pain potentially leading to injuries and arthritis. Even our eyeballs need plenty of lubrication to work well and remain healthy.

·         Water regulates body temperature

Our bodies can control over-heating through perspiration from sweat glands in the skin and from evaporation which produces a cooling effect. Blood is also routed into areas close to the surface of the skin where it can be cooled and then carried back to the interior of the body. Blood plasma play a critical role in buffering the body’s pH, circulating antibodies from the immune system, and regulating osmotic balance which all helps to maintain proper body temperature.

·         Water removes harmful toxins from the body

Water helps our bodies remove toxins in many different ways. Water flushes toxins and waste from the body through urination and perspiration. Water helps reduce constipation and aids in bowel movements which ensures that wastes are removed quickly and regularly before they can become poisonous in the body. This waste buildup can occur in the body if dehydration becomes a regular occurrence and this can cause headaches, toxicity and illness.

·         Water transports valuable nutrients to the body

Blood is about 92% water and it carries nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. Nutrients from the food we eat are broken down in the digestive system where they become water-soluble, which means they are dissolved in water. Drinking eight glasses of water daily can decrease the risk of colon cancer by 45%, bladder cancer by 50% and it can potentially even reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Bottom Line:

o       Drink 64oz (2 L) of water per day

o       Water helps in removal of toxins, maintains body temperature, serves as lubricant for our joints and keeps our body clean

o       Water is an appetite suppressant

o       Dehydration can cause your body to feel hungry rather than thirsty. Leading you to eat without hunger

o       Adequate intake of water helps in fighting against cancer

o       Coffee, soda, tea, juices and other beverages are not water. You need to drink 64oz of plain simple water per day.

o       It is 0 calorie beverage. So enjoy it guilt-free

o       Plain water contains most of the electrolytes and minerals required for the body. So unless you are a high intensity athlete like a marathon runner or basketball player you do not need to drink the energy drinks.