We have always been told that we are men and women of “flesh and bones…” but the truth is our bodies are mainly water. On average, 60% of an adult man’s body is water; an adult woman’s body is about 50% water, and a newborn baby’s body is around 75% water. Our blood is 85% water, and each cell in our body is 80% this vital compound. Therefore, it seems logical that the amount of water we drink each day is very important.
Water is a natural compound that plays many important roles inside the body, so it is essential to have an adequate amount of it during the day. Among its many functions are:
- It transports nutrients, gases, and waste products.
- It helps to regulate the body’s temperature, especially when we are facing very hot weather or when exercising.
- It lubricates joints and protects our bodies’ organs by working as a shock absorber.
The good news is you can get water in 2 different ways: directly or indirectly. The direct way is when you drink a glass of water.The indirect way is when you get water through other products. However, not all foods and beverages provide the same amount of water. Some beverages can even cause liquid lossin the body.
For example, 3 cups of coffee are equivalent to 2 cups of water, while each glass of beer makes your body lose around 1 glass of water. Fruits contain around 90% water, but the water content varies from one fruit to another. For example, watermelon is notoriously richer in water than bananas.
It is hard to know exactly how much water we get through the foods we eat. Therefore, the healthy recommendation is to drink at least 8 glasses of liquids each day. This way, you will guarantee your body is getting the amount of water it needs to carry out all its processes. You may also drink calorie-free drinks, like the ones that have been sweetened with an artificial sweetener.
But, if you exercise, your daily requirement of liquids will be even higher to compensate the losses through sweat. If you practice a high-intensity exerciseor sport, you might even need a sports beverage containing sodium, potassium, and glucose, to improve hydration. If that is your case, it is important that you consult your nutrition counselor, since these beverages are an additional source of calories.
Now that you know more about the benefits of water and its importance, don’t forget to keep a water bottle at hand and “drink toasts” to your health throughout the day!
