The Importance of Drinking Water
2/3
of your body weight is water.
Water helps keep your muscles and skin toned,
assists in weight loss, transports oxygen and
nutrients to cells, eliminates toxins and wastes
from the body, and regulates body temperature.
Drinking refreshing, clean water plays a major
role in reducing the risk of certain diseases.
For better health, drink at least 8 glasses
of clean water a day! |
“Water is the most neglected nutrient
in your diet, but one of the most vital.” -
Kelly Barton
Human survival is dependent on
water. The average adult body is 55 to 75 percent
water. Because our bodies are mostly water, water
figures heavily in how our bodies function.
Aside
from helping digestion and absorption of food,
water regulates body temperature, carries nutrients
and oxygen to cells, and removes toxins and other
wastes.
Water
also cushions joints and protects tissues and organs,
including the spinal cord, from shock and damage.
Conversely, lack of water (dehydration) can be
the cause of many ailments.
Hard
Water vs. Soft Water
According to Whitney
and Hamilton’s Nutrition,
soft water (water with the minerals removed) appears
to contribute to a higher incidence of hypertension
and heart disease in areas where it is used.
Hard
water (water with the minerals left in) may oppose
these conditions.
According to an article in Good
Housekeeping, nutritionists have determined that
the amount of minerals in your tap water can make
a significant difference to your health. The article
cited a study in the Journal of the American Dietetic
Association that found that drinking “hard” water
may actually reduce your risk of heart disease.
Water
and Weight Loss
Water plays a major part
in weight loss. Because water contains no calories,
it can serve as an appetite suppressant and helps
the body metabolize stored fat. It may possibly
be one of the most significant factors in weight
loss.
Also, drinking more
water helps to reduce water retention by stimulating
the kidneys. Studies recommend that if you are overweight,
you should add one glass of water to your daily requirement
for every 25 pounds over your recommended weight.
Fun Water Facts
Seventy-five percent of Americans are chronically
dehydrated. This likely applies to half of the world
population. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10
glasses of water a day could significantly ease back
and joint pain for up to 80 percent of sufferers.
A mere 2 percent 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.
Source: HDR’s SDWA Safe Drinking Act Newsletter
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