Did you know that your body is made up of more than 60% water? That means we need to consume water to ensure that everything is working properly.

Muscles and brain tissue are made up of about 75% water.

Blood is made up of about 83% water.

Your eyes are made up of about 95% water.

 

Water is essential not just for us to survive on a basic need, but we need it for proper function on every level. Here are just a few essential ways why water is so important for us!

Used as a transporter of nutrients to cells and carries waste away

Aids in lubrication in joints and acts as a shock absorber to eyes and spinal cord

Acts as a temperature regulator (ex: sweat keeps the body cool)

Serves as a source of minerals and  that is why bottled water contains added minerals

 

How much fluid do we need to consume daily?  That depends on a few things for each individual person.  For example, males need to consume more water than females-16 cups a day. While females need to consume a little less water than males-12 cups a day.  

Larger body mass typically means higher fluid requirements due to greater water content and higher metabolic activity

Illnesses cause fluid loss, which will need to be replenished along with electrolyte consumption (sodium, potassium, and chloride) when ill

If it is hotter than average outside, increase your daily water consumption up by 2 cups to accommodate the increase in temperature

Before, during and after exercising, you should be consuming water and increasing water consumption based off intensity, duration, and environment.  It is recommended to possibly increase your water consumption by up to 16 to 24 cups a day

 

In addition to water consumption, we lose water throughout the day.  For example:

Breathing – our nasal passages and lungs moisten the air we breathe

Sweating– our skin is always evaporating water, even if you are not exerting yourself

Excretion– we lose fluid through both feces and urine.  On average, a healthy adult needs 17oz minimum of water per day for kidney function.  If we don’t get enough water, we also tend to become constipated.