Functions of Water in the Body

The human body is anywhere from 55% to 78% water depending on body size. A rule of thumb,

2/3 of body is consists of water, and it is the main component of human body.

Did you know that your tissues and organs are mainly made up of water? Here is the %:

• Muscle consists of 75% water

• Brain consists of 90% of water

• Bone consists of 22% of water

• Blood consists of 83% water

 

The functions of water in human body are vital. The water:

• Transports nutrients and oxygen into cells

• Moisturizes the air in lungs • Helps with metabolism

• Protects our vital organ

• Helps our organs to absorb nutrients better

• Regulates body temperature

• Detoxifies

• Protects and moisturizes our joints

Every cell in your body needs water from head to toe. That is why it is so important to drink enough fluid. Take for example, brain consists of 90% of water, if you do not supply enough water to your body, your brain cannot function well, and you will get headache or migraine. Hence, next time, if you feel fatigue and headache, it may be the sign of dehydration.

 

How much water do you need?

Every day you lose water through sweating - noticeable and unnoticeable - exhaling, urinating and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you need to replace this water by consuming beverages and foods that contain water. So how much water, or more precisely fluid, do you need?

 

This isn't an easy question to answer. A healthy adult's daily fluid intake can vary widely. Most people drink fluid to quench thirst, to supply perceived water needs and "out of habit." At least three approaches estimate total fluid (water) needs for healthy, sedentary adults living in a temperate climate.

 

• Replacement approach.

The average urine output for adults is 1.5 liters a day. You lose close to an additional liter of water a day through breathing, sweating and bowel movements. Food usually accounts for 20 percent of your fluid intake, so you if you consume 2 liters of water or other beverages a day (a little more than 8 cups), along with your normal diet, you can replace the lost fluids. 

 

• Eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.

Another approach to water intake is the "8 x 8 rule" - drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (about 1.9 liters). The rule could also be stated, "drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day," as all fluids count toward the daily total. Though this approach isn't supported by scientific evidence, many people use this basic rule as a guideline for how much water and other fluids to drink.

 

• Dietary recommendations.

The Institute of Medicine recommends that men consume 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day and women consume 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day. These guidelines are based on national food surveys that assessed people's average fluid intakes.

 

You can choose any of these fluid intake approaches to gauge your fluid needs. But your current total fluid intake is probably OK if you drink enough water to quench your thirst, produce a colorless or slightly yellow normal amount of urine, and feel well. 

 

Top 11 Health Benefits of Drinking Water

You will be amazed of the benefits of drinking water as follow:

 

1. Lose weight

Drinking water helps you lose weight because it flushes down the by-products of fat breakdown. Drinking water reduces hunger; it’s an effective appetite suppressant so

you’ll eat less. Plus, water has zero calories.

 

2. Natural Remedy for Headache

Helps to relieve headache and back pains due to dehydration. Although many reasons contribute to headache, dehydration is the common one.

 

3. Look Younger with Healthier Skin

You’ll look younger when your skin is properly hydrated. Water helps to replenish skin

tissues, moisturizes skin and increases skin elasticity.

 

4. Better Productivity at Work

Your brain is mostly made up of water, thus drinking water helps you think better,

be more alert and more concentrated.

 

5. Better Exercise Drinking water regulates your body temperature.

That means you’ll feel more energetic when doing exercises. Water also helps to fuel your muscle.

 

6. Helps in Digestion and Constipation:

Drinking water raises your metabolism because it helps indigestion. Fiber and water goes hand in hand so that you can have your daily bowel movement.

 

7. Less Cramps and Sprains:

Proper hydration helps keep your joints and muscles lubricated, so you’ll less likely get cramps and sprains.

 

8. Less Likely to Get Sick and Feel Healthy:

Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu and other ailments like kidney stones and heart attack. Water adds with lemon is used for ailments like respiratory disease, intestinal problems, rheumatism and arthritis etc. In another words one of the benefits of drinking water is that it can improve your immune system.

 

9. Relieves Fatigue:

Water is used by the body to help flush out toxins and waste products from the body. If your body lacks water, your heart, for instance, needs to work harder to pump out the oxygenated blood to all cells, so are the rest of the vital organs, your organs will be exhausted and so will you.

 

10. Good Mood:

Your body feels very good and that’s why you feel happy.

 

11. Reduce the Risk of Cancer

Related to the digestive system, some studies show that drinking a healthy amount of water may reduce the risks of bladder cancer and colon cancer. Water dilutes the concentration of cancer-causing agents in the urine and shortens the time in which they are in contact with bladder lining.