Did you know that our bodies are mostly made up of water?
In fact, our body is 70% water. Our lungs, skin, blood, muscle, brain and bones all contain water. Water works at a cellular level in the body and has many functions. We lose water during the day by normal bodily functions, such as sweating and respiration. Interestingly, we may be more dehydrated in the winter months due to the fact that we don’t “feel” as thirsty. When we exercise in the winter, our bodies conserve heat by restricting blood flow to our extremities. Our bodies are tricked into feeling properly hydrated, thus we don’t have thirst for water. When we don’t feel as thirsty, we are less likely to drink water. Dehydration occurs when the fluid needed for our bodies to function is not replaced during the day.
Water helps rev up our metabolism, purifies blood, reduces stress, lubricates joints, nourishes skin and aids digestion. You should be drinking about 8-10 glasses of water per day.
Here are some ideas to help you drink more water:
- Start your day with a cup of warm water with lemon.
- Keep a water bottle on hand, even on the morning commute.
- Have set times to drink.
- Have a glass of water before meals.
- Eat plenty of fresh raw fruits and vegetables which are packed with nutrients and water.
- Remember, a healthy body is a hydrated one.
This is Sheila Harrell with the Church Health Center.
If you have a question for Life Matters, send it tohealth@wkno.org