Did you know that up to 60% of your body is water? Yes, water is that important. Therefore, it is essential that drink at least 6 cups and up to 13 cups of water a day, depending on factors such as body weight, physical activity level, and climate.
Among other purposes, water serves to maintain homeostasis in our bodies. When we consume food, we take in minerals that help the water move in and out of cells. If there is not enough water in our cells, a signal is sent out in the hypothalamus, an area at the back of our brains, to our mouths. This trigger enables the sensation of thirst, which gives us the urge to drink water.
Dehydration can occur for multiple reasons, usually related to heat. Common symptoms include low blood pressure, thirst, headaches, dry skin, fever, and mental disorientation. Problems can begin with a 10% water loss and even death at a 20% loss.
However, too much of a good thing is also bad. Our body fluids must be balanced at a certain concentration, and extreme water intake will cause critical issues. Thankfully, these symptoms only begin after consuming 6 cups of water per hour, which is easy to avoid.
The main takeaway from the article? Remember to drink water.
Source: Roth, Ruth A., and Kathy L. Wehrle. Nutrition & Diet Therapy. Cengage Learning, 2018.
