Water and the body
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Our bodies are mostly water. A man's body is 60-65 per cent water, a woman's 50-60 per cent. (Water content in children between five and eight years is even higher, at 70 per cent.) The human brain consists of 75 per cent water.
The body loses 3 to 3.5 litres of water daily, and the loss is greater when conditions are hot, or when we exercise. While the average person can survive for almost two months without food, we can last less than a week without a drink of water.
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Water is essential for the body to function properly. It removes waste from the body and carries nutrients to it. Water helps us to digest food, to sweat, and to control body temperature. It protects body tissue, keeps muscles and bones flexible, and lubricates the eyes.
Water also helps to keep the kidneys working. Our kidneys are vital, cleaning the blood, and helping it to flow and remove body waste. Drinking water every day is the simplest, cheapest and best way to keep the kidneys healthy.
It is better for us to drink water than cordial, soft drinks, or beverages like tea and coffee. The benefits of water over other drinks are:
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dental care - fluoride in water helps prevent tooth decay
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calories - avoid them by drinking water
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kidney stones - prevent them by drinking water
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general health
Illness
People with illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease may need a diet which restricts the food and water they consume. Each individual's illness may affect them differently and medical advice is necessary.
Water every day
Start each day by drinking a glass of water when waking, and keep sipping throughout the day.