Importance of Water

Importance of Water

Water makes up 60 percent of your body’s weight.  Every system in your body depends on water.  For example, water, flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides a moist environment for various tissues. Lack of water can make you tired.

How much water a person should drink daily depends on a number of factors including your health, how active you are and where you live.  If you exercise or engage in an activity that makes you sweat, you need to drink extra water to compensate for fluid loss. Hot, humid weather can make you sweat and requires additional intake of fluids.  Illness or health conditions such as a flever, vomiting or diarrhea can cause your body to lose additional fluids.  Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding need additional fluids to stay hydrated.  Large amounts of fluid are used especially when nursing.    

A person does not need to rely only on what you drink to meet your fluid needs.  What you eat also provides a significant portion of your fluid needs.  For example, many fruits and vegetables contain significant amounts of water.  Beverages like milk and juice are comprised primarily of water.  Coffee, tea and soda can contribute as well.

To make sure you do not get dehydrated and that your body has the fluids it needs, make water your  beverage of choice.  Drink water or other low-calorie beverage with each meal and between meals.  Drink water before, during and after exercising.