Friday, April 10, 2009

Water A Nutrient? What You Might Like to Know.

Here are some facts about water & why it is so important:






  • The human body is made up of 55-75% water - water is the basis of blood, digestive juices, urine and sweat.



  • Water is continuously lost every second from the lungs, skin, urine and feces. The amount of water you need each days depends on your metabolism, the weather, the foods you eat, and amount of physical activity.



  • Men have more water in their bodies than women. Adults lose aprox. 2-3 quarts of water per day. Hot weather, exercise, and air travel increase water loss.



  • Food provides 1/3 of water we need and the rest needs to be provided by drinking fluids, preferably water.



  • Water in the body helps maintain the health & integrity of cells; keeps the blood flowing freely, eliminate waste from the body, regulate body temperature, keeps the mucous membranes moist, helps lubricate the joints, and improve skin texture, just to name a few.



  • Loss of too much water causes dehydration which results in symptoms including headaches, lethargy, mood changes, slow responses, dry nasal passages, dark urine, weakness, tiredness, and confusion.



  • Dehydration can be caused by increased sweating, not drinking enough water, increased urination, vomiting, diarrhea, and burns.



  • More water is needed in people who are eating diets high in fiber or protein, children, those who are physically active, those exposed to hot weather, people with vomiting or diarrhea.



  • Drinking too much water (several quarts a day) can cause a condition know as water intoxication or hyponatremia. This happens when too much sodium is lost from the body. This condition causes headaches, blurred vision, cramps, swelling of the brain, coma and possibly death.



The general recommendation is 6-8 glasses of a variety of fluids be consumed daily. Some people may need more, particularly those who are physically active.




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