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The importance of Water

Drinking fluids, especially water, is crucial to staying healthy and maintaining good function in your body. 75% of the human body is made up of water and it is a major component in every cell in our body. Water regulates our body temperature, helps keep our joints lubricated, prevents infection and delivers nutrients to our cells. Our body’s loose water through breathing, sweating and digestion it is important to rehydrate by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water. Our kidneys and liver work hard to expel toxins in our bodies and they rely on water to assist.

Being 2% dehydrated can seriously affect physical and mental function and 15% can be lethal….a water deficiency can kill in days or even hours!

Did you know that our body’s production of collagen and elastin slows dramatically at around the age of 30.This means that the skin begins to look “crepey”. The skin looks dry, wrinkled, creased and thin. As we get older our cells change and our skin becomes thinner and dryer. Body lotion is a temporary measure for moisturising the skin but drinking lots of water will help the skin retain its moisture and be longer lasting benefit. If you have “crepey” skin the chances are you’re not adequately hydrating it so your skin keeps ageing matter how many products you apply. Keeping our skin well hydrated may also reduce some skin conditions such as psoriasis.

Hydration in extremely important for children as they have higher water requirements in relation to their body weight. Even mild dehydration can cause tiredness, lack of concentration and headaches as well as dry skin.

The amount a child should drink depends on factors such as age, gender, physical activity and the weather. Kids aged 4 to 13 should drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day with boys slightly more than girls and younger kids smaller quantities. Research suggests that adequately hydrated children may perform better in school.

 

Drinking excessive amounts of fluid can be harmful and in rare cases can be dangerous. It is also important to ensure that the majority of fluid you drink is water and not alcohol as this can cause one to pass urine more frequently. Alcohol slows the release of an antidiuretic hormone which makes the kidneys less permeable to water and therefore more water flows to the bladder.

So remember to keep well hydrated whether you are sitting at work or during / post exercise to keep your body healthy.

 

www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-staying-hydrated

http://www.naturalhydrationcouncil.org.uk/hydration-facts

http://edition.cnn.com

healthyeating.sfgate.com/purpose-water-function-provides-body

https://www.everydayhealth.com

https://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthyliving/hydration/healthy-hydration-guide

www.alcoholanswers.org/alcohol-education/health-topics/alcohol-and-kidneys.cfm