The Health Benefits of Drinking Water

You will have heard much over recent years in the press regarding the importance of drinking plenty of water and the effects that dehydration can have on the body. Water accounts for approximately two thirds of the weight of a healthy human and it is this high water content which must be replenished, as it is lost through sweating, urinating and breathing. There are also chemical reactions occurring in the body all the time and these reactions require water in order to work efficiently.

Basic Body Functions

The most basic of functions within the body are entirely reliant on water. Without a sufficient supply, the blood would be unable to carry vital nutrients to the organs. Also, water is a key component in the body’s ability to process waste. Thirst is a serious warning sign from the brain, which indicates that fluid is required urgently. The brain communicates with the kidneys via the Posterior Pituitary gland – it will send signals to the kidneys about how much urine should be excreted and how much is to be stored in reserve.

So How Much Water?

How much water we should drink on a daily basis has been the cause of much debate, but the official recommendation from the Department of Health is 1.2 litres per day. There has been a figure banded about, that we should consume 2.5 litres per day, but this is a confused figure, as it relates to total fluid loss per day and our total replacement requirements. It does not follow that we should take on board the full replacement requirement in the form of drinking, as approximately 1 litre of fluid is recovered from food and a further 0.3 litres from chemical reactions. This is where the 1.2 litres per day figure comes from. To put this into context, that is 8 glasses of water, assuming that each glass holds 150ml.

Muscle Fatigue

The health benefits of drinking water are more far reaching than is often stated. Muscle fatigue can result from an inadequate water intake, as muscles shrivel due to an imbalance of fluid and electrolytes. There is also evidence to suggest that healthy skin can be promoted by staying properly hydrated. Your kidneys will benefit from a good supply of water, as it minimises the amount of work they are forced to do in order to process waste. A plentiful supply of water also results in the easy flow of waste through the system, as the kidneys are not forced to withhold fluid from the urine.

Hydration for the Body

Further claims abound regarding the advantages of proper hydration for the body. Dehydration has been linked to heartburn, arthritis, back pain, angina, migraines, colitis, asthma and hypertension, to name but a few. The reality is that the human body is a water-based machine. Water is the lubrication and the fuel and without an intake which compensates for the natural losses experienced day to day, the machine cannot function successfully and will eventually break down.

Why Silver Springs Water?

Silver Springs is a water company in Las Vegas and San Diego that provides bottled water home and office delivery services, water dispensers, water coolers and equipment. We deliver chemical-free water direct to your home or office, on a no contract basis. We even offer a monthly water club.