Bottled water has become the second most popular drink after soft drinks, but this is causing a nightmare for the environment with millions of plastic bottles either just being dumped wherever the drinkers are or ending up in landfills all over the globe where they will remain for thousands of years.
While the old belief that we need to drink eight glasses a day was proven to be nothing more than a guideline, not based on scientific evidence, it is vital that we all drink sufficient water throughout the day in order to stay hydrated and in good health.
Water is a nutrient that your body needs in order to remain in good health and operate optimally, and it can be found in plain water, various other liquids, and in different foods.
Although the body I made up of around 70% water, it is unable to store water, and fluid losses occur continuously throughout the day from breathing, skin evaporation in the form of sweat, and passing urine and stool. These losses must be replaced daily to maintain good health, because when your water intake does not equal your water output, you will become dehydrated.
Your body needs water for most of its functions, including absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, digestion, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature. Your brain also needs a lot of water, as it sends messages to the rest of the body via electrical impulses along the nerves. It communicates with your kidneys as to how much water to excrete as urine or hold onto for reserves; when the brain perceives that there is insufficient water in the body, the brain will trigger the body’s thirst mechanism.
Water helps energise your muscles; when there is a shortage of electrolytes found in water in the muscles, it results in muscle fatigue and will negatively affect muscle performance. Water also feeds your skin, keeping it plump, elastic and young-looking.
Another vital function that water has is that it helps your kidneys to get rid of the toxins in your body via urination; if there is insufficient water in the body it could result in kidney stones.
