And, while the human body can survive six to eight weeks without food (scripture records Jesus fasting for 40 days), the body can only survive four to five days without fluids. Every system in the human body requires water to function properly; yet, we don’t make it within the body or store extra to use later.
Therefore, drinking water everyday truly does bring life to your body.
With the crazy pace of life today, drinking enough water (or other water based substances) is sometimes a difficult task. But, when you do not drink more water than your body uses or expels through breath, sweat or elimination, the body begins to dehydrate or lose water. A loss of as little as 5 to 10 percent of the body’s total water can cause serious health problems. A loss of 15 to 20 percent of the body’s total water can be fatal.
Some natural water loss comes with the aging process leading to:
- Wrinkled skin
- Stiffer joints
- Slower digestion
- Slower functioning of other body systems
- Headaches
- Dark yellow
- Heavily scented urine
- Fatigue
- Lack of mental clarity
- Loss of energy
- Dizziness
- Muscle cramps
The desire to eat when not really hungry may also be a sign that fluids, instead of food, are needed.
Most people wait until they are extremely thirsty to drink water. While thirst is the body’s signal that water more water is needed, you are already somewhat dehydrated when thirst hits.
If water is so vital to life, how much water do we need each day?
In recent years controversy has surrounded the adequate amount of water needed for healthy bodily function. Studies showed that the standard daily recommendation of eight 8-ounce glasses of water (or 64-ounces) was too much for some people and not enough for others. The new guidelines personalize the baseline required amount of water based on body weight.
To be sure you are drinking enough water everyday, divide your body weight by 2 and drink that amount in ounces. For example, a 120-pound person would need a minimum of 60 ounces of water each day and a 200 pound person would need at least 100 ounces a day. The amount of water the body needs increases when additional water is lost through sweat during the summer months or with exercise. A good guideline is to drink eight additional ounces of water for every 15 minutes of exercise or physical work in the heat outdoors.
Drinking enough water each day doesn’t come naturally for most people and must be an intentional choice. Choose to drink water with meals instead of calorie filled sodas or sweetened teas. Choose to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning. Take a bottle with you in the car, to work and to exercise. Choose to catch a drink from a water fountain whenever you walk by. Choose to stay alert, healthy and hydrated with each drink of water you take in.
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