Water – It IS IMPORTANT to your Health
Saturday, January 9th, 2010
Many of us dread drinking enough water. It is boring tasting and makes us have to pee too often. But is that a bad thing??? Let’s see.
Water makes up more than 2/3 of our weight.
Our brains are 95% water, our blood is 82%, and lungs 90%.
Dehydration can start to be recognized with as little as 2% deficiency in water intake. Signs of dehydration: reduced alertness, reduced concentration, slower reaction times, tiredness, headaches, feelings of nausea.
It is estimated that 75% of Americans have mild, chronic dehydration. Sad for a country where water runs through faucets directly to our homes unlike many countries in the world.
According to the Mayoclinic.com, “Every system in your body depends on water. For example, water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues.”
Our bodies do not work without water, just as a car cannot run without gas and oil. Our cells and organs depend upon water for their functioning. Water serves as a lubricant, forms the base for saliva, forms the fluid that surrounds joints, regulates the body temperature, helps eliminate waste and toxins, and regulates metabolism.
The website www.freedrinkingwater.com claims 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.”
The Institute of Medicine recommends that men drink 3 liters of water a day and that women need 2.2 liters a day. For men that equals almost a gallon and women just a bit less. BUT if you are active and exercising…you need an additional 8 oz of water per 15 minutes of activity.
So, if water is so important to our daily functions, why are we not drinking enough? It is difficult at first, however it is important to the WHOLE BODY to get enough water each day.
GET TO IT…START DRINKING YOUR WATER!!!