Adequate hydration is essential for our overall health and wellbeing. Every living body is part water. Life indeed, cannot be imagined without water. Medical conditions and diseases can occur to a chronically dehydrated person. Replenishing our water levels also prevents premature aging. The following article cites information on Water from a Mia Nacamulli TED talk. You can watch the talk here.
Water is virtually everywhere from soil moisture and icecaps to the cells inside our own bodies. Depending on factors like location, fat index, age, and sex, the average human is between 55 and 60% water.
At birth, human babies are even wetter, being 75% water. They are swimmingly similar to fish, but their water composition drops to 65% by their first birthday. So what role does water play in our bodies? And how much do we actually need to drink to stay healthy?
The water in our bodies works to cushion and lubricate joints, regulate temperature and nourish the brain and spinal cord. Water isn’t only in our blood. The average adults’ brains and hearts are almost three-quarters water. That’s roughly equivalent to the amount of moisture in a banana. Lungs are more similar to an apple at 83% and even seemingly dry human bones are 31% water.
If we are essentially made of water and surrounded by water, why do we still need to drink so much? Well, each day we lose two to three liters through our sweat, urine, and bowel movements, and even just from breathing. While these functions are essential to our survival, we need to compensate for the fluid loss. Maintaining a balanced water level is essential to avoid dehydration or overhydration, both of which can have devastating effects on overall health.
At first detection of low water levels, sensory receptors in the brain’s hypothalamus signal the release of an antidiuretic hormone. When it reaches the kidneys, it creates Aquaporins, special channels that enable blood to absorb and retain more water, leading to concentrated dark urine. Increased dehydration can cause notable drops in energy, mood, skin moisture, and blood pressure, as well as signs of cognitive impairment. A dehydrated brain works harder to accomplish the same amount as a normal brain. And it even temporarily shrinks because of its lack of water. Overhydration or hyponatremia is usually caused by overconsumption of water in a short amount of time. Athletes are often the victims of overhydration because of complications in regulating water levels in extreme physical conditions. Whereas the dehydrated brain amps up the production of antidiuretic hormone, the overhydrated brain slows or even stops releasing into the blood. Sodium electrolytes in the body become diluted, causing cells to swell. In severe cases, the kidneys can’t keep up with the resulting volumes of dilute urine. Water intoxication that occurs, possibly causing headache, vomiting, and in rare instances, seizures or death. But that’s a pretty extreme situation. On a normal day-to-day basis, maintaining a well-hydrated system is easy to manage for those of us fortunate enough to have access to clean drinking water.
For a long time, conventional wisdom said that we should drink eight glasses a day. That estimate has since been fine-tuned. Now the consensus is that the amount of water we need to imbibe depends largely on our weight and environment. The recommended daily intake varies from between 2.5 to 3.7 liters of water for men and about two to 2.7 liters for women. A range that is pushed up or down if we are healthy, active, old, or overheating. While water is the healthiest hydrator, other beverages even those with caffeine like coffee or tea, replenish fluids as well.
Water within food makes up about a fifth of our daily water intake. Fruits and vegetables like strawberries, cucumbers, and even broccoli are over 90% water and can supplement liquid intake while providing valuable nutrients and fiber. Drinking well might also have various long-term benefits. Studies have shown that optimal hydration can lower the chance of stroke, help manage diabetes and potentially reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. No matter what getting the right amount of liquid makes a world of difference in how you’ll feel, think and function day-to-day.
Read more on Water, Hydration, and Health here.
Read more on Water – The Healthier Choice here.
