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Kerry McClure – Practical Wellness
June 6, 2014 ·
Water is essential for life. The average amount of water in your body is about 10 gallons. Our bodies contain up to 75% water by weight, our brains a little more. It is recommended we drink at least 48 ounces of water per day to replace the water lost through urination, sweat, and breathing. If not, dehydration is possible.
Opinions vary as to how much water we need each day to remain healthy. Most recommend 6 to 8 (48 – 64 ounces) of water/day, though 8 to 12 glasses is optimal.
Drink a glass of water every two hours while you are awake. Don’t wait until you are thirsty; schedule regular water breaks throughout the day instead.
Another useful gauge for adequate water intake per day: take your body weight in pounds, cut it in half and convert to ounces. (i.e., 120 pound person = 60 pounds, convert to 60 ounces which is equal to 7 ½ glasses of water per day (60 / 8 = 7.5))
Water is vital for the following functions:
1. Digestion
2. Lubrication
3. Transport of nutrients
4. Transport of wastes (without abundant, clean water proper detoxification becomes impossible)
5. Temperature control
6. Appetite control – dehydration can often be mistaken for hunger
7. Prevention of certain diseases (i.e., pain, including of the back and neck, as well as headaches; heartburn, high cholesterol, hypertension, obesity, ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.)
8. Diuretics such as caffeine and alcohol draw water out of your cells and increase the rate of urination. If you drink coffee or other dehydrating beverages, compensate by drinking an additional glass of water
Inadequate water intake can cause a range of medical complications, including bladder infections, excess calcium buildup, electrolyte disturbances, fatigue, muscle spasms, irregular heartbeat, dry lips, dark urine, and becoming dizzy or light-headed upon standing up.
References:
http://www.baumancollege.org/…/drinking-problem-article.html
Bauman, E., M.Ed., Ph.D., and Friedlander, J., M.S., N.C. (2010). Foundations of nutrition. Penngrove, CA: Bauman College.
Murray, M. (2005). The encyclopedia of healing foods. New York: ATRIA Books.
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