Don’t ever be without water, your life depends on it!

If you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere, what do you think will keep you alive longer, food or water? If you chose water, you just extended your survival by over a month vs. just a few days without it. Water is the essential element to keeping all your bodily functions performing optimally. Everything from blood flow, digestion and muscle movement relies on water. It is the natural lubricant for your human machine.

How does your body use water?

Up to 60% of the human adult body is water. According to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry 158, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water.  Water regulates the body’s temperature, it lubricates the tissue and joints, it facilitates digestion from breaking down food to easy disposal of waste. It effects your strength, power and endurance. It carries nutrients and oxygen to your entire body. It aids in cognitive function and helps improve your mood. It promotes collagen keeping your skin moist and youthful.

So how does your body alarm you that you need water?

Your skin and mouth will feel dry. You will be thirsty. You have a headache. You are constipated. You feel dizzy or lightheaded. Your urine is a dark yellow color. Your head feels foggy and sluggish. You are having muscle spasms.  In extreme cases, you may faint, feel weak or confused.

How much water should you consume daily?

Depending on your age and gender the volume varies. Children from 1-3 years old require a minimum of 4 cups of water per day. Children 4–8 years old require a minimum of 5.5 cups. Boys 9-13 years old require 6.5 cups per day and Girls 9–13 years old require 6 cups per day. Women 14 and older require 6.5 cups per day and Men 14 and older require 8 cups per day.  Please note, you can drink too much water, so more is not always better so consult a physician if you want to drink excessive volumes of water.

What are the best sources of water?

20% of your daily water intake comes from food, so the rest will need to come from drinking water and water-based beverages. The best source of water is filtered by Reverse Osmosis or Bottled water as that will contain the fewest impurities.  If you don’t have access to filtered water, then the next best option is straight from the tap.  If you are looking for flavor or variety, you can also get your daily recommended volume from beverages like sparkling water, unsweetened flavored water, fruit or citrus infused water, unsweetened iced tea or brewed tea, brewed coffee and even soup. Keep in mind, sodas and sweetened beverages also are sources of water, but the sugar content can negatively impact your bodily functions causing inflammation and fat so try to avoid those beverages.

Now that you understand the role water plays in your survival, you may ask yourself how to increase your daily consumption of water?

Sources:

Why is Water Important? 16 Reasons to Drink Up

How much water should you drink per day?

Warning signs your body drastically needs water !