Why You Have to Drink to Live?

Do you like this post?

Earth is 70% made up of water. So it might be just right and matching that 70% of the human body is also made up of water. Water is thus such a vital part of our lives. In truth we can survive longer without food than without water. A healthy human person can live from 3 to 10 days without water while men can live without food for as long as 2 months.

There must be a very important reason why 70% of our bodies are made up of water. In actuality there are many reasons. One is that blood is made up mostly of water. As we know, blood is an important part of the body because it transports oxygen to the other tissues as well as carry nutrients and other gases through out our body systems.

The organs that blood nourishes are also made up of water. The brain, lungs, and muscles all contain heavy amounts of water. All tissues are also bathed in water. This water bath also serves as protection for them from friction when we are moving.

Water is also involved in regulating body temperature most obviously by sweating. As mentioned, it makes transport of nutrients and other substances possible because of its very nature as a fluid. This is not only through the blood but also via the extracellular and interstitial fluid. So aside from nutrients and oxygen, it also carries the metabolic wastes that must be eliminated from the body.

It also moves substances that affect the activities of the rest of the body like hormones. It is also through hormones that water, indirectly, affect body temperature. Water is also a must in the action of enzymes, which catalyze the physiological functions various organs. A lot of vitamins are also water soluble and therefore would be rendered useless without water to dissolve in.

As mentioned though, we sometimes have the need to lose water to regulate our body functions. Some other time, we need to replenish this lost. It is suffice to say then that we need to take in water sufficiently. There is an old adage that we need 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. Actually though, we can estimate our water needs by taking our body weight in pounds then dividing that number in half. The answer you get will be the number of ounces of water per day that you would need to drink. This applies when excluding doing strenuous activities that hasten water loss. For example, if you exercise, you must drink another 8 ounce of water for every 20 minutes you are active.

Aside from drinking, you also get a lot of your water intake from the very food you eat so it still very wise to consider the food that you take in. However, the most important part of your water replenishment comes from what you drink. Pure water is still and will always be the best option because while it is deprived of other healthy substances, it is enough to nourish what your body need. Nonetheless, you can still choose other beverages.

You must be careful in choosing flavored beverages though. Wine and other alcoholic drinks can have their health advantages but too much of them would be bad. Sodas are really delicious but they have too much sugar and calories. Teas can be good diuretics and body cleanser. Sports drinks have electrolytes that are beneficial for the body’s actual needs, especially when dehydrated. Juices, especially if they are freshly squeezed from the actual fruits, can provide you some essential vitamins and minerals. Caffeinated drinks have their pros and cons too so take them in moderation.

Water not only sustains our everyday lives, it also assists in making it better. It is concerned with preventing occurrences of various diseases. It was found that 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. Too much alcohol can reverse these effects but one glass a day or less can make your heart stronger and may boost your memory.

Whatever you may choose to drink, just make sure that they are generally more beneficial. One way or another, you do have to drink. Best choice would always be water. So drink up to live. Drink life!

Popularity: 4% [?]

Currently 0 comment - But what do you think?