All you need to know about WATER
Water. Everyone appears to know everything about it. Also, everyone seems to agree with the fact that it is essential for us and for life in general. But, what do we really know about it? Which information can we rely on? Here we expose accurate information about water. Go on and discover all you didn’t know!
1. Importance
Water is life. According to Stylianos Nicolaidis, a French neurosurgeon, water comprises from 75% body weigh in infants to 55% in elderly and is essential for cellular homeostasis and life. Therefore, it is no mystery that water is essential to our body in order to function.
2. Do you drink enough water?
What role does water play in our bodies and how much do we need to drink to stay healthy? The three main functions of water in our body is to cushion and lubricate joints, regulate temperature and to nourish the brain and spinal cord.
Water, of course, isn’t only in our blood. As you can see in the image below, three quarters of an adult’s brain and heart are water. Although we are essentially made of water, we need to drink a daily extra amount of it as during the day, we lose two to three liters of it through our sweat, urine and movements.
In order to avoid both dehydration and overhydration we must maintain a well hydrated system. For a long time, conventional wisdom said that we should drink eight glasses a day. Now, thanks to all the studies made, we know that the amount of water that we need to consume depends on our weight and environment.
The amount recommended varies between 2.5 – 3.7 liters of water for man and 2 – 2.7 for women. An amount that can be highered or lowered depending on different factors, such as if you are healthy, have an active life, you are old or overheating.
3. Am I dehydrated?
Dehydration is a condition defined by an excessive loss of body water. There are several symptoms that can help you identify if you are dehydrated, which are: increasing thirst, dry mouth, weakness, lightheadedness (you feel like you are going to faint) and a darkening of the urine or a decrease in urination.
If you are really dehydrated you will start perceiving how your body is not able to work as usual. If you experience fever, seizures, difficulty breathing and chest or abdominal pain, you need a professional’s help, so don’t doubt contacting us immediately and we’ll come as fast as we can.
4. Effects
According to Mitchell Moffit and Greggory Brown, from AsapScience, and as we said before, water provides nutrients and hormones to our body, it regulates corporal temperature and lubricates our eyes and articulations. Without it, we lose our energy, our skin becomes dry and our mood changes.
Studies have shown that an optimal hydration has positive effects in a long term basis. For instance, it helps lowering the chance of suffering an stroke, it helps manage diabetes and reduces the risk of certain types of cancer.
5. Strategies
If you want a good hydration in your body you must constantly drink little amounts of water during the day. You don’t have to get to the point in which you feel thirsty, because this means you are already dehydrated. Fruits and vegetables can suplement liquid intake while providing nutrients. Therefore, they are a good option to help you keep hydrated.
Once you have given water the importance it deserves and you drink the amount of water you need, you will notice how better you feel, think and function. Nia Macamulli made a Ted Talk, which we think summarizes perfectly all you need to consider, you can watch it if you consider it convenient. And of course, if you need any help during the process don’t doubt contacting us! We will be happy to help!