The necessity of water in nature is second to none. Among essential nutrients, only water is unavoidable. Just few days can man survive without it. It is next to oxygen considering its role for sustenance and nutrition. Water is needed in the body for proper functioning of the systems. The major parts of the body contain water, including the brain, blood, and muscle. Enough water should be included in our diet.
It ranks high in offering true refreshment for the thirsty and plays a vital role in all bodily processes and general mechanisms. It is a universal medium in which various chemical changes of the body occur. It is important to balance the amount of water going into the body with the amount of water being lost by the body.
Water contains some amounts of minerals that are vital for life, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, copper and magnesium. These minerals must be in appropriate concentration to prevent them from being deleterious to the body. Minerals such as calcium are essential to bone formation and blood clotting, while magnesium is needed to produce energy and conduct nerve impulses.
The functions of water in the body cannot be over emphasized. Water Controls body temperature, Removes wastes, regulate the fluid balance, aids digestion, absorption, circulation, lubrication of body joints and the delicate balance of minerals. It also helps cushion joints.
Water in the body fluids helps in blood formation from the marrow. As a major component of blood, it helps to deliver nutrients to body cells and removes waste to the kidneys and the skin for excretion. Over 98% of the body enzymes essential to digestion are also primarily water, working to break down food particles so that nutrients can be absorbed into the intestine.
Some of the ways we lose water is through sweating, breathing, urinating, bowel movements and the extreme, through vomiting and diarrhea.
Water dehydration due diarrhea or vomiting could be dangerous and can be fatal in children. Dehydration could be mild or severe. Some of the problems caused by mild dehydration, are heartburn, constipation, kidney stones, and even kidney failure. Severe dehydration can cause your body to shut down and go into shock. So make sure you know the early warning signs of dehydration, so you can take action to protect your health. At all cost prevent dehydration
Drinking fluids in comfortable amounts, and paying special attention to fluids intake during warm weather and times of physical exertion or illness is very important. When you work hard or work out, also remember to monitor your own signs and symptoms of dehydration. Paying attention to your body can help you promptly determine whether you need to up your intake of water or supplement your diet with more foods with high water content.
The best treatment for dehydration is prevention. Exercising or working in a hot, dry environment can easily cause dehydration. Take water with you, and watch out for early signs of dehydration. To recover from and treat mild dehydration, slowly drink water or pure fruit juice until you no longer feel thirsty. The practice of salt-sugar water solution also proved to help.
Drinking several glasses of water a day will keep the body healthy. Even during meals, water is an important part of healthy diet. Raw water intake should not be substituted to water provided from beverages.