WHy water ?
Not only is water one of the most essential compounds of the universe, our bodies would be unable to function without it. We need to drink water each day to replace the water that we naturally lose through sweat, bodily excretion, and even respiration.
Water is a vital aspect to proper functioning of our cells; and, ultimately, our entire bodies. Here are some of the things that water helps us with:
Water is a vital aspect to proper functioning of our cells; and, ultimately, our entire bodies. Here are some of the things that water helps us with:
1 . temperature control
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Through sweating, water helps cool the body down to a functioning temperature. This becomes especially important with exercise, as the continuous activation of your muscles causes heat to be released. Your body responds to this by sweating. As fluids are released out of your skin pores, they evaporate and the change in energy state causes the body to cool down. When dehydrated, our bodies struggle to carry out this process and out internal body temperatures can rise to temperatures that we are unable to function at, causing fainting, vomiting, dizziness, or other forms of injury.
2 . Joint lubrication
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Made up of more than 80% water, cartilage allows your joints to move smoothly through activity. Unfortunately, when dehydrated this is one of the first places where water is depleted in your body. As a result, there is more friction in your joints and continued malnutrition can lead to arthritis and back pain. Like the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, we need water to keep our bodies limber and lubricated.
3 . Body waste excretion
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Not everything inside, or brought inside, our bodies is good. Therefore, our bodies must have a system to keep the good stuff in, and get the bad stuff out. The excretory system not only removes wastes from the body, but also maintains the balance of water, salts, and nutrients in the blood. The main organs involved in this system are the kidneys and water is "the muscle" that carries out the kidneys' demands. Water acts as a security system that either transports nutrients in the blood, or escorts the waste out of the body through the urine, stool, or even respiration.
4 . organ protection
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What makes humans so complex are their distinct ability to move and bend in a multitude of different ways. For that reason, our many organs and sensitive tissues must be able to move and bend with us, or else we would risk injury and discomfort with each bend. To accomplish this we have developed several tissue layers that are separated by a lubricating substance primarily made from water. For example, cerebrospinal fluid protects the brain and spine and allows them to move within their enclosed spaces.
Our recommendation
Because of these reasons and the many more vital aspects of water in exercise, health, and disease prevention, we recommend you try to drink 2000 mL of water a day. Most bottle containers contain 1000 mL of space, so drinking two bottles full will accomplish this recommendation. Also, note that this is a recommendation based on normal daily functioning with an hour or so of exercise activity. In the case of extreme heat or continued vigorous activity, more water should be consumed. Lastly, alternative drinks like fruit juices and sodas do not fulfill this requirement. Stick with bottled or tap water.