Every day the average adult loses 1.25 litres of fluid via urine, 0.5 litres via sweat, 0.5 litres via breath and 100ml via faeces, so to stay healthy we need to replace the fluid that we lose. This can be done by drinking 6-8 glasses of fluid each day in addition to the water we consume in food, such as fruit and vegetables. Recommended intake will vary with environment, for example, when water loss is increased by heat, exercise or humidity intake must compensate. A variety of drinks, including bottled water can do this. Drinking enough fluid each day is often still not regarded as a priority any many of us may be dehydrated without realising it.
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Facts
Blood
Your blood is 95% water. If you are dehydrated, the mechanisms that regulate blood pressure will not work so you may experience an increase in blood pressure.
Bones
Even your bones have a high level of water in them – about 22%.
Brain
The human brain is 75% water. When you are not properly hydrated it may be your brain that starts to feel the effects, with headaches, poor concentration and reduced memory.
Brain
The human brain is 75% water. When you are not properly hydrated it may be your brain that starts to feel the effects, with headaches, poor concentration and reduced memory.
Digestive system
Every day, you are likely to lose about 100ml of fluid through faeces – up to 80% of a normal stool is water. This can, of course, be a lot more if you have diarrhoea. Having marginal dehydration can mean that you develop constipation, where the stool is dry and difficult to pass. Regularly drinking 6-8 glasses of fluid a day can help avoid this happening.
Cells
Every cell in your body depends on fluid to keep it working properly. Each person is made up of between 50 and 75% water and 2/3 of this fluid is carried in the body’s cells. If there is not enough fluid in the body these cells cannot effectively do the job they are supposed to do.
Heart
Clinical studies have shown that adequate hydration may improve the way your heart works and reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Dehydration is also considered to be a risk factor in the development of DVT (deep vein thrombosis).
Kidneys
The National Kidney Research Foundation recommends that drinking two litres (6-8 glasses) of fluid a day can reduce your risk of developing urinary tract infections, kidney stones or bladder cancer.
Mouth
If you are not drinking enough, your body will not be able to produce enough saliva and you may develop a dry mouth. Dentists say that this may be a major cause of tooth decay.
Skin
The skin is the largest human organ and is made up of 70% water. When you are not drinking enough you may notice your skin feeling dry, so you reach for a moisturiser or body lotion. The best solution is to reach for a glass, however, and moisturise from the inside.
Urinary tract
We each wee about 1 1/4 litres a day when we are properly hydrated. This equates to about four visits to the loo each day for men and eight times for women. In addition to the valuable role that water plays in the body’s cells and organs, fluid also makes sure that the urinary tract remains clean and bug-free to avoid infections, such as cystitis.
Download The Importance of Hydration (in PDF format).
For further information please visit www.experthydration.com