Definition of Water
Water is an inorganic, clear, tasteless, odorless, and almost colorless chemical material that is the primary component of the hydrosphere of the earth and the fluids of all known living organisms (in which it acts as a solvent). Even though it offers no calories or organic nutrients, it is essential for all known forms of life. Its chemical formula is H2O, indicating that one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms are found in each of its molecules, connected by covalent bonds. Two hydrogen atoms are bound at an angle of 104.45 ° to one oxygen atom. Water is very important for life. Around 60 percent of the body is made up of water, and water occupies around 71 percent of the planet’s surface.
Functions (Benefits) of Water in the Body
The potential benefits of drinking water range from keeping the kidneys safe to losing weight. All the cells and organs of the body need water to function properly. Here are some of the reasons why our body needs water:
- Joints Lubrication
- Saliva and Mucus Formation
- Transports Oxygen round the Body
- Boosts Skin Health and Beauty
- Cushions the Brain, Spinal Cord, and other Sensitive Tissues
- Body Temperature Regulation
- Aids Digestion
- Flushes wastes in the Body
- Maintains Blood Pressure
- Clears Airways
- Makes Minerals and Nutrients Available to the Body
- Prevents Kidney Damage
- Boosts Performance during Exercise
- Weight Management
- Reduces Hangover
Joints Lubrication
The cartilage, which is located in the joints and disks of the spine, contains around 80% water. Long-term dehydration can reduce the ability of the joints to absorb shock, leading to joint pain.
Saliva and Mucus Formation
Saliva helps us digest our food and keeps the mouth, nose and eyes moist. This prevents friction and harm from occurring. Drinking water helps the mouth clean, too. Consumption of water instead of sweetened drinks, it can also minimize tooth decay.
Transports Oxygen round the Body
Blood is more than 90% water, and blood brings oxygen to various parts of the body.
Boosts Skin Health and Beauty
Dehydration can make the skin more susceptible to skin disorders and premature wrinkles.
Cushions the Brain, Spinal Cord, and other Sensitive Tissues
Dehydration can affect the structure and function of the brain. It also includes the processing of hormones and neurotransmitters. Prolonged dehydration can lead to problems of thought and reasoning.
Body Temperature Regulation
Water that is contained in the middle layers of the skin comes to the surface of the skin like sweat as the body heats up. As it evaporates, it cools the body for example during sporting activities. Some studies have argued that when there is too little water in the body, heat accumulation increases and the person is less able to withstand heat stress. Getting a lot of water in the body reduces physical strain and heat stress during exercise.
Aids Digestion
The intestine needs water to function properly. Dehydration can lead to digestive problems, constipation, and excessively acidic stomach problems. This raises the risk of heartburn and gastric ulcers.
Flushes wastes in the Body
Water is required for sweating and removal of urine and feces.
Maintains Blood Pressure
Lack of water can make blood thicker, increasing blood pressure.
Clears Airways
When dehydrated, the airways are limited by the body to reduce the loss of water. This can make asthma and allergies worse.
Makes Minerals and Nutrients Available to the Body
Minerals and nutrients dissolve in water, making it possible for them to penetrate various areas of the body.
Prevents Kidney Damage
In the body, the kidneys control the fluid. Insufficient water can lead to kidney stones and other problems.
Boosts Performance during Exercise
Dehydration during exercise can impair performance. Some scientists have indicated that drinking more water could boost performance during strenuous exercise. Dehydration decreases exercise efficiency.
Weight Management
Water will indeed help with weight loss if it is taken instead of sweetened juices and sodas. “Preloading” with water before meals will help avoid over-eating by developing a feeling of fullness.
Reduces Hangover
Unsweetened soda water with ice and lemon combined with alcoholic beverages can help prevent over-consumption of alcohol during partying.
Sources of Water for the Body
The body uses foods with high content of water such as soups, tomatoes, oranges to acquire some water, but most of them come from drinking water and other drinks. During regular functioning, the body loses water and this needs to be replaced. We note that we lose water through activities such as sweating and urination, but water is lost even when we breathe.
Drinking water is the body’s best source of fluid. Milk and juices are also healthy sources of fluid, but drinks containing alcohol and caffeine, such as soft drinks, coffee and beer, are not suitable because they often contain empty calories. Drinking water instead of soda will help you lose weight.
Water Balance in the Body
Water accounts for around half to two thirds of the average person’s weight. Fat tissue has a lower proportion of water than lean tissue, and women appear to have more fat, because the percentage of body weight that is water in the average woman is lower (52 to 55%) than in the average man (60 percent ). The proportion of body weight that is water is also smaller for older people and obese people. The proportion of body weight that is water is higher (70%) at birth and in early childhood. A 154-pound (70-kilogram) man has a little more than 10.5 gallons (42 liters) of water in his body: 7 gallons (28 liters) inside the cells, 2.5 gallons (about 10.5 liters) in the cells, and slightly less than 1 gallon (3.5 liters) or about 8 percent of the total volume of water) in the blood.
The intake of water must compensate the loss of water. To maintain water balance—and to protect against dehydration, kidney stones, and other medical problems—healthy adults should consume at least 11⁄2 to 2 quarts (about 2 liters) of fluid each day. Drinking too much is generally better than drinking too little, because excreting excess water is much healthier for the body than conserving water. However, when the kidneys are operating properly, the body can accommodate large variations in the intake of fluids.
The body obtains water mainly by extracting it from the digestive tract. In addition, a small amount of water is released as the body absorbs (metabolises) those nutrients.
The body loses water mainly by excreting it from the kidneys in the urine. Depending on the body’s needs, the kidneys can excrete less than a pint or up to a few gallons (about half a liter to more than 10 liters) of urine a day. About 11⁄2 pints (a little less than a liter) of water are lost every day as water evaporates from the skin and breathes out of the lungs. Profuse sweating—which may be caused by vigorous exercise, hot weather, or high body temperature—may significantly increase the amount of water lost by evaporation. Usually, little water is lost from the digestive tract. However, persistent vomiting or extreme diarrhea can result in a loss of one gallon or more per day.
Typically, people can drink enough fluid to compensate for excess water loss. However, people who have extreme vomiting or diarrhoea may feel too sick to drink enough fluid to compensate for the lack of water, and dehydration may result. Confusion, limited mobility or impaired consciousness may also prevent people from becoming thirsty or being able to drink enough fluids.
Several processes function together in the body to maintain the water balance. These include
- Thirst
- Interaction of the pituitary gland and kidneys
- Osmosis
Thirst
This is one of the most critical processes for preserving the water balance. When the body needs water, nerve centers deep within the brain are activated, resulting in a feeling of thirst. Sensation grows stronger as the body’s need for water increases, encouraging a person to drink the required fluids. If the body has excess water, the thirst is suppressed.
An interaction between the pituitary gland and the kidneys
This provides another mechanism. When the body is low in water, the pituitary gland secretes vasopressin (also called antidiuretic hormone) into the bloodstream. Vasopressin stimulates the kidneys to conserve water and excrete less urine. When the body has excess water, the pituitary gland secretes little vasopressin, enabling the kidneys to excrete excess water in the urine.
Osmosis
In osmosis, water flows passively from one location or body compartment to another. This passive flow helps greater amounts of fluid in the cells and around the cells to serve as reservoirs to protect the more important yet smaller volume of fluid in the blood vessels from dehydration.
