The importance of water

Did you know? Your body consists of between 60 to 70 % of water. This is why it is of great importance to keep your fluid balance up to date, otherwise you will get dehydrated.

Water is one of the most important substances for life on earth to function. It is equally important for humans as well as animals. Water does not merely help us survive, but it is significant for our day to day functioning. It has numerous uses when we come to think about it. Majority of our earth is covered with water itself, but, not all of it is safe for consumption.

So why is it so important to drink enough water?

Adult humans are made of water by around 60 to 70 percent. And it is up to 90 percent water in our blood, delivering oxygen throughout the body. Water is essential for the kidneys and other bodily functions. It regulates the body temperature, it boosts performance during exercise, maximizing physical performance. Drinking water instead of soda can help with weight loss as well. Water helps dissolve minerals and nutrients, making them more accessible to the body. It helps remove waste products. People don’t realize how important water is, much more than food. Did you know that people can live without food for 30 to 40 days, but without water for 3 days at the most? This shows again how important water is for people.

How many litres of fluid should you drink every day?

1.5 litres of fluid per day is the recommended amount by the nutrition centre. Yet there is still a lot of confusion about this. Many people think that they should drink 1.5 litres of water every day which is not true. It is about fluid and luckily fluid is much more than just water.

For example, think of fruit juice, milk, lemonade, soft drinks and soup. Drinking unhealthily can also be bad for your body. When you drink a bottle of cola per day, you will get enough fluid, but also a lot of sugar and other substances that are not good for you. There are also other drinks that you can drink to keep your fluid balance up to date.

Sugary Soda – not good!

Drinking high amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages — such as Coca-Cola, Fanta or Red Bull— can have various adverse impacts on your health. These range from increased chances of tooth decay to a higher risk of heart disease and metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes. Regular consumption of sugary soda also appears to be a consistent risk factor for weight gain and obesity.

So what happens if we drink too little fluid? What are the downsides?

First of all, it affects your health. You will have a higher level of fatigue, which can lead to various pain (headache, backache & more). This fatigue will make you more inclined to get angry faster or have less concentration. Prolonged dehydration can therefore lead to problems with thinking and reasoning.

Some advices/tips to get a better taste out of water:

• Add slices of lemon, lime or orange. They add refreshing taste and make your glass look inviting.
• Enhance water with fresh mint leaves, basil, ginger, rosemary or cilantro.
• Slice cucumbers and add to water for a fresh, clean taste.
• Infuse water with fresh berries, pineapple or melon. Or freeze bits of fruit in ice cube trays for a more subtle flavor and an interesting look.