Many nutrition experts recommend that you drink pure water over other drinks. Most of us know this and try to drink plain water every day. But, experts are also saying it is not just recommended to drink pure water, but it is recommended to drink pure water several times per day. So, what is the importance of drinking enough water throughout the day?

During Physical Activity

The body’s need for water surpasses its need for any other nutrient. The body can still function when it loses other nutrients, but when too much water is lost, the chemistry that supports life can be compromised.

When exercising, the body loses water through sweat and exhaling, and dehydration can easily set in. Even if only 1-2 percent of the body’s water is lost, it can negatively affect a person’s ability to do muscular work. When the body loses about 7 percent of water, there is a good chance the body will collapse.

Hydration before, during, and after intense physical activity is important because the body can lose about 2 quarts of fluid during an hour of intense activity, but only absorb a quart in that same hour. Obviously, there is more water being lost than taken in, so hydrating before the workout will ensure there is a high amount of water to be drawn from.

During Normal Everyday Life

Water has so many life supporting duties in the body that it is important to always keep yourself hydrated if you want your body to work at optimal levels.

For example, water:

• moves nutrients through the body from one area to another.
• helps regulate the body’s temperature.
• acts like a shock absorber for the joints, spinal cord, and eyes.
• lubricates joints.
• is a part of many important chemical reactions in the body.
• helps dissolve other nutrients essential to good health.
• helps the heart pump blood through the blood vessels to the muscles.
• helps to remove waste from the body.

“Your kidneys do an amazing job of cleaning and ridding your body of toxins as long as your intake of fluids is adequate.” – WebMD

How Much Water Is Enough?

Your water needs depend on what you eat, what environment you live on, your physical activity, and more. A good rule of thumb is that an average person who expends about 2,000 calories in their day should intake about 2-3 liters of water per day. If you are in a hot climate, exercising, drinking alcohol, have diabetes, taking medications, experiencing diarrhea or vomiting, or are pregnant, then you will need to increase the amount you drink.

“Hydration isn’t just important during physical activity. Sitting in the sun on a hot or humid day, even if you aren’t exercising, can also cause your body to need more fluids.” – American Heart Association

The best way to get enough water for you is to pay attention to your thirst and satisfaction. When your mouth is dry, this means that the blood does not have enough water and has pulled it from your salivary glands, and you should re-hydrate. Your body will give you signs, such as dry mouth, to let you know that you need more water. Pay attention to your body throughout the day, even if you think you have had enough water.

What Type Of Water Should You Drink?

You may see all the hype about natural or filtered water and think it is a bunch of nonsense, but the truth is that drinking natural and filtered water is very important for your overall health.

Water is a natural solvent, and it can dissolve many things, including contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, pollutants, heavy metals, and pesticides. Some of the microorganisms found in water are harmless, but others contaminants can be very dangerous to your health. For instance, there has been a link between high chlorine intake and cancer.

In conclusion, drinking enough water, and ensuring that your water is free from contaminants, is the best way to look after your overall health now and in the future. However, having said all of that, there are still some notes of precaution that you do not drink too much water when trying to lose weight.