Water is life. It is a universal solvent and a vital component of the human body. Did you know that about 60% of your whole-body weight is water?
Your body loses about 1.5 to 2 litres of water every day! How much water do you drink in a day?
Your body loses water through breathing, sweating and digestion, and it’s important to rehydrate by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water. Especially in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Accra, Kampala, Cape Town, Abuja and Lagos…when the sun hits its spot at midday, you better be having some water with you. Don’t dehydrate your body!
Why is water your lifeline
The body contains and uses water in all its cells, organs, and tissues to help regulate the body temperature and maintain other bodily functions.
Water aids your body’s process of removing waste– adequate water intake enables your body to excrete waste through perspiration, urination, and defecation.
Water helps in digestion-Water dissolves nutrients, and aids digestion and stimulates our bowel movement.
Water prevents you from dehydration-Adequate water is needed in the body to regulate blood pressure and keeps the body hydrated. Excessive loss of water and low intake can cause dehydration that is a medical emergency, and a life-threatening condition.
Water protects your cells, tissues, brain, spinal cord, and joints-All cells of the body floats in water that helps to provide nutrients, warmth to the cells and removes waste from the cells. Also, the brain and spinal cord are protected on the outside by a fluid with water called C.S.F (cerebrospinal fluid) that acts as a cushion and shock absorber for the brain.
Water helps to maintain body temperature-Water constitutes the larger part of the blood and helps to distribute heat all over the body. It regulates body temperature through a process known as thermoregulation.
Water helps to transport nutrients-all nutrients that enter the body are dissolved in body water and distributed all over the body.
How Much Water Do I Need?
The amount of water you need depends on a variety of factors, including the climate you live in, how physically active you are, and whether you’re experiencing an illness or have any other health problems.
Normally, you require between 1.5- 2 L of water per day.
Nonetheless, there’s no hard and fast rule, and many individuals meet their daily hydration needs by simply drinking water when they’re thirsty, or through foods and drinks with water.
If you’re not sure about your hydration level, look at your urine. If it’s clear yellow, you’re in good shape! But, if it’s dark yellow, you’re probably dehydrated.
