Water: refreshes, revitalizes, rejuvenates…

Water is the largest single component of the human body as it accounts for approximately 60% of an adult’s total body weight! It is an essential element for all body tissues whether intra or extra cellular.

Water serves several key functions in the human body as a:

• Vital nutrient for the life of every cell. It plays an essential role in maintaining the structure of the biological tissues. Also, various biological reactions in the body cells and organs depend strongly on water.
   
• Reactant in the body’s biochemical reactions and solvents for minerals, vitamins, amino acids, glucose, and many other molecules. So, it is necessary for the body’s biochemical reactions to take place i.e. the breakdown of food to absorbable forms (nutrients).
   
• Carrier for distributing nutrients and other essential elements to the various organs in the body and removing waste products and toxins mainly through urine and feces.
   
• Temperature regulator: Your health and well-being depends on keeping your body temperature within a very narrow range. The large proportion of water in the body plays the role of a heat buffer. For example, evaporation of water from the skin cools the body (sweat).
   
• Shock absorber: The brain, eyes and spinal cord are among the body’s sensitive structures that depend on a protective water layer. Moreover, the fetus’s entire development literally takes place in a water medium. Also, water present in the saliva and digestive system helps move food from the mouth to the intestines.
   
• Lubricant that helps the smooth movement of bone joints.
   
• Water is life! You need it for most of your body’s physiological processes. So don’t forget to drink at least 8 glasses* of water on a daily basis, and even more in the hot weather.

* For a healthy sedentary adult living in temperate climates.

 

Good to Remember:

If you feel tired during the day, check if you’ve had enough water. As a matter of fact, good hydration keeps you refreshed throughout the day