Water, Hydration and Health

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“Drinking water is like washing out your insides. The water will cleanse the system, fill you up, decrease your caloric load and improve the function of all your tissues.” – Kevin R. Stone -- Lately, the trend is that nearly everyone carries a water bottle with them and sips all day long. But what does water really do for the body? Is it essential that people gulp down the prescribed “eight glasses of water a day” for optimal health and performance? A growing body of information now points to evidence that water is beneficial to your health. Hydration with water and other water-based liquids is critical for survival and functioning of the body’s organs. Water is 60% of the total human body composition. Water is involved in the function of temperature regulation, elimination of waste and secretion, digestion, and is 80% of blood composition. Deborah Boardly, assistant professor of health promotion and human performance at the University of Ohio in Toledo says, "I truly believe that dehydration (insufficient body fluids) may be the number one nutrition problem for athletes—and, possibly, people in general." Boardly goes on to say, "Today we have all these concerns about everything we should and shouldn’t eat—and yet here is this absolutely fundamental substance and it is grossly overlooked."(http://www.tdo.com/features/health/stories/0803/) Scientist, doctors, and businesses alike are making claims about water. Scientists are trying to formulate data and construct studies that prove the effectiveness of using water on a daily basis. Doctors are instructing their patients to use water to help cure minor ailments and boost the overall condition of the immune system. Businesses and industries are concerned with the economic... ... middle of paper ... ...hich help to ensure that through thirst and conservation, the body will stay hydrated and function most efficiently. Works Cited Buskirk, E.., & Puhl, S. (Eds.). (1997). Body Fluid Balance. New York: CRC Press. Cannon, W.B. (1947). The Wisdom of the Body. London: Kegan Paul,Trench, Trubner & Co. Rolls, B.J., &Rolls, E.T. (1982). Thirst. Great Britain: Cambridge University Press. Weldy, J. W. (1997). A programmed presentation. Body Fluids and Electrolytes. (7th ed.). St. Louis: Moseby.. Table 1.1 Intracellular Osmoreceptors Arginine vasopressin (AVP): When secreted, drinking stimulated. Angiotensin II (AII): When released stimulation of AVP occurs. Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP): Suppresses salt and water intake. Atrial Naturiuretic Peptide (ANP): Blocks all induced drinking. --(Buskirk & Puhl, 1997).

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