Health for Body Mind and Soul

Water is a major constituent of the human body. The body cannot produce enough water by metabolism or foods eaten to meet all its needs. Water is vital source of life for the cells, tissues, and organs (Jequier & Constant, 2010).

Adequate water intake is essential for digestion, absorption, transportation, and use of nutrients. Water also serves as the medium of elimination of toxins and other waste products from the body, and plays an important role in regulation of temperature in the body (Kleiner 2003). A 2% decrease in body’s water requirements can trigger physiological and performance response resulting in:trouble with basic math;
difficulty focusing; unclear short-term memory; dehydration of red blood cells (RBC) which increases the risk of clot formation (Kleiner, 2003).

Severe cases of dehydration leads to increased white blood cell (WBC) count; Low blood pressure; rapid heart beat (tachycardia); confusion; headache; general malaise; nausea; muscular weakness; decreased alertness, concentration, ability to track performance and short-term memory. Heat stroke and death may also result from severe dehydration (Ritz & Berut, 2005.)

Recent research published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests the amount of water we need differs by person and activity level. Researchers have found that activity level, climate, and diet all play an important role in the amount of water needed on a daily basis.

For the average healthy adult who leads a sedentary life, the recommended amount that he or she should drink is 1.5 liters of water per day. Those living in extremely dry conditions and who are participating in physical activity will need more water per day.

Health Benefits

Findings from the Adventist Health Study demonstrated that individuals who drank five or more glasses of water per day had less than half as many heart attacks as those who had two glasses per day or less. Participants in the study who drank the most juices, soda, coffee, and tea, instead of water, increased their risk of fatal heart attack; women had more than 2.5 times the risk. Adequate water intake can also
reduce the risk of bladder cancer; help prevent headaches and reduce constipation (Chan, J. 2002).

Adequate water intake assists with weight loss. Drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day…can burn off almost 35,000 calories a year, or about 10 pounds. Proper hydration decreases the appetite (Yeager, 2004). Some authors state that the body’s signal for proper hydration (water) is often mistaken for hunger.

Age is also a factor. Children and the elderly are more susceptible to the effects of dehydration than healthy adults. Staying properly hydrated can improve overall physical health, and help to prevent serious changes in blood pressure, kidney function, and more.