Drinking water to maintain good health

Drinking Water to Maintain Good Health

Our body is estimated to be about 60 to 70% water. Blood is mostly water, and the muscles, lung, and brain all contain a lot of water. We need to drink water because it is needed to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to all our organs. Water also transport oxygen to the cells, removes wastes, and protects our joints an organs.

If you are physically very active, you lose more water than if you are less active. Diuretics such as caffeine and alcohol result in the need to drink more water because they trick our bodies into thinking we have more water than we need. Symptoms of mild dehydration include chronic pains in joints and muscles, lower back pain, headaches, and constipation. a strong odour to your urine, along with a yellow or umber colour indicates that you are not getting enough water. Thirst is an obvious sign of dehydration and in fact, you need water long before you feel thirsty.

 Our body needs between 2.5 litres to 3 litres water per day. However, if you exercise you should drink more every 20 minutes you are active. If you drink coffee, you should drink at least an equal amount of water. When you are travelling in an airplane, it is good to drink about two glasses of water every hour you are on board the plane. If you live in an arid climate, you should drink as much as you can.

            Our daily needs for water varies accordingly to many conditions. The best source of water is plain, pure drinking water. Sodas have many sugars in them and are not a good source, so if you drink them, they don’t count towards your daily amount. Some herbal teas that are not diuretics are fine. Some sport drinks may be beneficial, just look out for added sugar and calories that you don’t need.

            It may be difficult to drink enough water on a busy day. Be sure you have water handy at any times by keeping a bottle of water with you when you are working. If you get bored with plain water, add a bit of lemon or lime for a touch of flavour. There are some brands of flavoured water available, but some of them have sugar or artificial sweeteners which you don’t need.