Water is the Liquid of Life

By Ashonda Bethea-Ruth 

There are many things people consider necessities in life, leaving out one’s leisure activities and minute unnecessary wants. The need for clothing, food, and shelter is apparent, and is what many individuals will agree they cannot live without. Water being a part of those needs, is one huge element that is essential for living.

Many people know the essential need for water to stay alive, but what many people don’t know is how water can do much more than hydrate you. Water is a vital nutrient for your body. Some people do not know that there body contains water, 60 percent to be exact. Drinking water replaces the natural water people lose naturally every day. Most water is lost throughout the day, during perspiration, and urination and breathing. Yes, breathing. When people exhale, they are losing a little bit of water for each exhale. Think of when you blow on glass; the condensation on the glass has to come from something a little denser than air. On average people lose about 5 pounds of water a day. So if you ever heard of drinking eight glasses of water a day, you’ll start to understand why.

But recent medical studies have shown that drinking eight glasses of water a day is hardly necessary to lead a healthy fluid lifestyle.  That statement was more of a guideline to give people something to go on.  But although eight glasses aren’t required, that doesn’t mean that you should swear off water completely. It is still important for healthy living.

As stated previously, water is vital to help maintain a balance of bodily fluid, but there are also other benefits such as – weight and muscle control, healthy skin, kidney health, and bowel functions naming just a few.Water is a friend for people who want to gain and maintain a healthy weight. It helps people who are focused on weight loss, by helping to curb appetites. It also boosts the body’s natural calorie burning machine. Choosing food with a higher water content makes you feel full so you won’t have the urge to over eat. These foods include – beans, fruits, vegetables, and oatmeal to name a few.

Water is also a huge contributor for having healthy muscles. Cells that don’t maintain their balance of fluids and electrolytes shrivel, which can result in fatigue, according to WebMD. This can result in the muscle not working properly and the individual can suffer. Think of why you see athletes chugging down Gatorade. Its not because they are dying with thirst, it’s because they need their muscles to work to the best of its abilities and keeping hydrated with water is key.

H2O is also a great benefactor for healthy skin. Dehydration makes skin look dry and wrinkled. This however can be improved with proper hydration. Skin naturally contains water, but just like the rest of our bodies, it dispels of it too. It’s all about keeping a balance, and making sure that we replace what we naturally lose.

When most people think of kidneys, they may think of kidney stones or a removal of the kidneys. The kidneys are a part of our bodies that don’t get too much thought, and most of the time it is often too late. In the body there is a main toxin; blood urea nitrogen; that is a water soluble waste that is able to pass through the kidneys to create urine. When getting enough fluids, urine flows freely, is light in color and free of odor. When the body is lacking the right amount of water, urine concentration, color, and odor increase because the kidneys trap extra fluid for bodily functions, explains WebMD. Not drinking enough water can lead to a higher risk for kidney stones.

Adequate water intake also helps maintain normal and healthy bowel functions. Although this isn’t the first thing many people would like to think of, when describing waters helping functions, it is still nonetheless important. Keeping a healthy gastrointestinal tract is important for healthy living. What goes in must come out, and water is there to help.

So whether you drink water because you love its refreshing taste, because you are forced to by a loved one, or to rehydrate while recovering from a nasty hangover, water is there to keep you balanced, and knowing its benefits will help you maintain a healthy H2O lifestyle.