Approximately 70% of the body (or the body’s cells) weight is water at birth. Water is the medium for almost every bodily function. Blood, digestive juices, perspiration and tears are only a small sampling of the water-based solutions that make our bodies work. We cannot live without water. Although individual water molecules have a simple (H20) structure, the physical and chemical properties of liquid water are complicated. Water’s complexities — its polarity, its ability to form hydrogen bonds, its surface tension and its ability to dissolve a remarkable array of molecules that serve as fuels, building blocks, catalysts and information carriers, are what make water so versatile and essential to life. Hydration is essential for the cells to perform all of their critical functions. Better hydration, which for most people can be attained simply by watching and managing water intake, may result in a number of benefits, including a feeling of increased energy and better athletic performance – generally, better living. Everyone knows the importance of water. Approximately 70% of your body’s cell weight is water at birth. But as we age, this percentage can be reduced to as low as 50% and we become less prone to recognize the signs of dehydration. Water is essential for our cells to perform their critical functions and simply switching to water can often attain better hydration.
Don’t underestimate the value of the most important item you can put into your body… pure water! Only pure water hydrates the body with maximal efficiency. Pure water is critical to normal cellular function that may benefit your endurance, health and well-being. Most beverages, even mineral and flavored waters, contain dissolved substances that slow down the flow of water from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream.