All About Good Coffee

Our very lives depend on water. Our body weight is 75% water and our brains are 85% water that helps cushion the brain from the skull. Our body cells are made up of 75% to 90% water. We can’t live without good old H₂O. This is true for several reasons.

First, water is called the universal solvent and most of the body’s chemical reactions take place in solution. Second, water permits blood to flow through the arteries and veins. It keeps the blood fluid. Third, water has a great heat capacity and this allows it to both store heat when we are cold, and lose heat through evaporation when we are not. Sweating not only cools the body but also helps cleanse impurities and waste.

We need water yet we are constantly losing it. We lose water from our bodies three ways. First, the kidneys make urine and when we pass it, we of course lose water. The kidneys process 45 to 50 gallons of fluid a day and, though most of it is retained, the kidneys produce more than a quart of urine daily. Since urine is mostly water (95%), we must replace this lost liquid. The other two ways the body loses water are by perspiration and defecation.

Again, all this loss means the water must be replaced. The average person should drink eight to ten glasses (two quarts) of water each day. If we don’t replace the water we lose, we will suffer the effects of dehydration. It is estimated that up to 75% of Americans are dehydrated. If not treated properly, dehydration can be fatal.

Dehydration may occur because of sickness causing diarrhea and/or vomiting. During such times we may not be able to keep anything down. But as soon as possible replace these lost liquids. Often the young and old are most vulnerable to dehydration. The old are vulnerable because they tend to lose their sensation of thirst with age. When a person loses so many liquids that they lose 1% of their body weight, they are considered to be severely dehydrated.

How would you know if you were dehydrated? First, dehydration is often accompanied with only small amounts of dark urine. A person who is dehydrated might also notice their body temperature rise. Other symptoms include fatigue, nausea, extreme thirst, headaches, and confusion. A lack of tears or sunken eyes are also telltale signs.

If you suspect you are dehydrated, try this simple test. Pinch your skin, then let go. It should return to normal position quickly if you are not dehydrated. If in doubt, drink a glass of water. Here’s another plus: kidney stones are rare on people who drink sufficient pure water daily.

Severe dehydration might be evidenced by low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, severe cramping of the arms, legs, stomach, and back, convulsions, heart failure, sunken eyes, inelasticity of the skin, and deep, rapid breathing. In such cases, a person will need to replace salts and glucose as well as water.

Of course, it is important to drink healthy water. Be sure your water supply is pure. The bottom line is, take seriously the importance of drinking sufficient pure water each day. Eight to ten glasses can go a long way in helping you maintain a healthy body.