Our bodies are about 70 percent water. We know it is good for us, but do we know why?
Water is essential for every system in our body because when we take in water, it goes in through our digestive system and is then distributed through our blood to every part of our body. This carries with it the good nutrients that we need and delivers them where they are beneficial, and then carries away the toxins that result from our body processes. These are then deposited into our digestive system for elimination. Just like rinsing down a sink, we need water to move things away and “down the drain.” Our body functions in exactly the same way. If our blood is low on water, it makes that distribution and elimination very inefficient.
So how much water is enough? Well, whatever we weigh in pounds, we should take that number and divide it in half. This number is the ounces of water we need daily at a minimum:
140 pounds / 2 = 70 oz. of water; 70 oz. / 8 oz. = 8.75 glasses per day (8 oz. glasses)
We will need more water if we exercise, sweat or are fighting off an illness, cold or flu. So when the heat is on, drink more water!
While we do get some hydration from other beverages, it is best to think of meeting our minimum need with plain water because this is the most effective in our body. Sports drinks should be reserved for use only when we have a more strenuous output of energy and sweat that would require some electrolytes. Otherwise, for most of us, plain water is the best.
Drinking our water leads to healthy hydration and a healthy body.
