Importance of Water

We are often advised to drink sufficient amounts of water every day as it is necessary for the functioning of most parts of the body. One may not be aware, but, nearly 70% of the body weight is formed of water as it is found in tissues, blood, muscles, etc. It can be said that all the important bodily functions are carried out with the help of water.

Benefits of Water in the Human Body

Water plays an important role in respiration, digestion, elimination, maintaining temperature (homeostasis), metabolism, etc. The following are the different functions of water in human beings.

Hydrates Body
Much of the fluid and water is lost from the body everyday during perspiration and urination. This loss needs to be compensated in order to maintain the normal functioning of the body. If the body does not receive sufficient amounts of water, it can become dehydrated, which can be a life-threatening condition. Lack of water in the body or chronic dehydration can also lead to other diseases like constipation and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Dehydration can also lead to joint pain.

Helps in Digestion
Water plays a significant role in digestion. It helps in breaking down and quick movement of the digested food in the colon. The importance of water also lies in the process of digestion as it helps to digest water-soluble vitamins and fibers. When there is a sufficient amount of water in the body required for digestion, colon does not extract water from the solid waste, resulting in proper and quicker bowel movement.

Helps in Excretion of Toxins
As mentioned above, water aids in quicker bowel movement. It also aids in excretion of all the toxic waste from the body. The kidneys require water for proper functioning; and hence, lack of it can lead to kidney stone and kidney diseases. One of the other benefits of drinking water is that it can indirectly contribute in enhancing the texture of skin, making it smooth and supple.

Helps in Weight Loss
Water helps in faster metabolism and burning off excess calories in the body. Secondly, water also acts as a natural appetite suppressant which brings a feeling of satiety, curbs excess eating and consequently helps in weight loss.

Helps in Homeostasis
The other importance of drinking water is that it helps in homeostasis or maintenance of proper body temperature. The chemical reactions in the body slow down when there is a lack of water in the body. The cells in the body get dehydrated and these dehydrated cells increase the temperature of the body resulting in irregularities. Therefore, in order to maintain a normal temperature, it is essential to drink adequate amounts of water everyday.

Other Functions of Water

• It helps in transportation of oxygen and essential nutrients to all parts of the body.
• It helps in lubricating the joints and hence, prevents joint pain.
• Drinking water keeps away dizziness, water retention, edema, etc. during pregnancy.
• It also contributes in lowering high blood pressure.

Drinking 8 - 10 glasses of plain drinking water every day can help in maintaining proper health. Remember one of the best quotes on drinking water by Loren Eiseley:
If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water!