REPORTS ON PROPER HYDRATION
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The Importance of WATER to Human Health
by The Watershed
Wellness Center
- 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
(Likely applies to half world pop.)
- In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so
weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.
- Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's
metabolism as much as 3%.
- One glass of water deters hunger pangs for 98%
of the dieters observed in a University of Washington study.
- The biggest trigger of daytime fatigue is lack
of water.
- Preliminary research indicates that 8-10
glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint
pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
- A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy
short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty
focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
- Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the
risk of colon cancer by 45%, breast cancer by 79%, and develop
bladder cancer by 50%.
A person's minimal water requirements is half their body weight in
ounces. For instance, a 200 pound person should drink at least 100
ounces of water.
Next to the air we breathe,
water is the most important substance we will ever put in our
bodies. Approximately 75% of our body weight is water and it makes
up over 80% of our brain and 90% of our blood. Water facilitates
the absorption of essential nutrients into our cells and is the
vital component of our body’s detoxification processes (Rona, 1995).
Water is the primary
energizer of all cellular functions as it manufacturers
“hydroelectric” energy at the cellular level. This is a vital
function responsible for breaking down proteins and nutrients into
usable amino acids and sugars. Water also acts as the glue that
bonds cellular membranes together and therefore plays a vital role
in energy metabolism and all basic biological functions (Rona,
1995).
Water intake can…
-
Improve cellular
communication
-
Maintain electrical
homeostasis
-
Regulate temperature
-
Transport nutrients
-
Remove wastes
-
Flush toxins
-
Mobilize tissues
-
Lubricate joints / Absorb
shock in joints
-
Improve oxygen delivery /
Facilitate breathing
Dehydration of as little as 2% loss of body weight results in impaired
physiological and performance responses. Research through the University of Washington indicates that fluid
consumption in general and water consumption in particular can have
an effect on the risk of urinary stone disease; cancers of the
breast, colon, and urinary tract; childhood and adolescent obesity;
mitral valve prolapse; salivary gland function; and overall health
in the elderly (Kleiner, 1999). |
