What water does for our body
Brief Description: Water is an essential part of our body's functionality. Find out why you need to drink water to stay healthy.
About 70 per cent of most body tissue consists of water. It is an essential part of cytoplasm. The body fluids, including blood, lymph and tissue fluid, digestive juices, mucus, sweat and urine are composed mainly of water.

Digested food, salts and vitamins are carried around the body as a watery solution in the blood and excretory products such as excess salt and urea are removed from the body in solution by the kidneys. Water thus acts as a solvent and as a transport medium for these substances.

Digestion is a process which uses water in a chemical reaction to break down insoluble substances like oils to soluble ones. These products then pass, in solution, into the bloodstream. In all cells there are many reactions in which water plays an essential part as a reactant and as a solvent.

You must have been told to drink plenty of water, especially during hot weather. Water is important for our health and it is important that the water level in our body is maintained and it is only possible if you drink more than you lose.

More water is lost through perspiration while you exercise than while you are relaxing. So, you should drink plenty of water whether you are running a couple of miles or just jogging around the block. Excessive loss of water can be dangerous to your health. Water replacement, before, during and after exercise is essential to prevent muscle cramping, over heating, rapid heart rate and thickening of blood. Here are some suggestions on how water can help your peak performance level:

1. Water is the best fluid replacer because it enters the blood stream quicker than any other liquid.

2. If your body’s water content drops as little as three percent (10 cups of water for a 160 lb man), you become less powerful than you should be.

3. If you wait until you’re thirsty to drink, you have already reduced your water supply to an unhealthy level.

4. During the summer, you need to be particularly careful.

5. In winter, the body has to work to warm the cold air that is breathed in. Seeing your breathe when you exhale is actually watching your body lose water.

6. Drink cold water. It's absorbed faster than water at room temperature. Cold water acts as a coolant, reducing your stomach and body temperature and lessening heat stress.

7. The body uses water it needs and eliminates what is in excess. If you’re dieting or exercising to loose weight, it’s even more important to keep drinking water because it flushes out toxins as fat cells break down.

8. Water is required as part of many metabolic reactions in our body. It also helps keep mucous membranes, digestive tract, and bronchial tubes moist. It also helps lubricate joints and membranes.


Since we lose water by evaporation, sweating, urination and breathing, we have to make good this loss by taking in water with the diet. A weight difference of more than seven per cent puts you at a risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. It is crucial to drink more water.

Sources of water in our diet

Many foods contain water, and some, such as fruits and vegetables, are composed mainly of water. In addition to the water that is taken in food as liquids, some water is produced during the many metabolic reactions of the body.


Water intake and requirements for special individuals

Water should be drunk every day, especially in hot weather when mush is lost through sweating. Water is constantly lost in this way through the skin, and also from the lungs and kidneys and bowels. A minimum of three litres per day is recommended.

Extra water is required:

1. During illness where a raised temperature results in increased sweating.

2. If vomiting or diarrhea has occurred, both of which can cause dehydration rapidly, especially in babies.

3. In lactation, when extra water is required for milk production.