We have been told that the human body is approximately 60% or more water and that it is imperative for good health to stay well hydrated, but do we know why?
What does water do in our body?
What happens when we are dehydrated?
How much water do we need?
Let’s start with digestion.
Beginning with saliva production, a water based substance, which has enzymes to break apart foods and allow our bodies to absorb nutrients for cellular and organ health. Saliva also helps to supply the liquid needed to help these nutrients be absorbed.
Brain Function
Being made up of 80% water it is obvious that this is crucial to healthy brain function.
Keeping your brain hydrated is important for concentration, cognition, memory as well as assisting you to deal with daily stresses and keeping your mood balanced.
Body detoxification
Water is needed to help the human body eliminate waste products via urine, faeces and sweat. Good hydration is essential to help your kidney’s flush out impurities through urine and for your kidney’s to stay healthy. Your gastrointestinal system needs to be well hydrated for easy bowel movements and better health.
Skin health
Keeping hydrated helps to keep your skin feeling soft, vibrant and pliable with less wrinkles.
How much water we each need is determined mostly by your environment, level of activity, weight and age and an average guide is 2.1L per day for women and 2.6L per day for men. It is a good idea to keep a watch on your urine colour, with the darker the colour the more dehydrated you are. The exception can be when taking multivitamins which can change your urine to bright yellow, but you can still keep a watch for it becoming darker.
Some other symptoms of dehydration can include;
- Hot & very dry skin
- Feeling dizzy
- Rapid heartbeat
- Rapid breathing
- Lack of energy, confusion or irritability.
Take very good care of your body this summer – stay well hydrated with water!