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Water - Why It's Good To Drink 8 Glasses A Day

By: Maria Esposito. Normally, approximately 2.5 litres of water is required daily for a fairly sedentary adult in a normal environment to replace the total loss of water that occurs though urine, faeces, skin and lungs.

This water loss needs to be replaced. One litre or so needs to be as water or other non dehydrating fluids such as cold herbal teas. A little under a litre will come from food intake. The body also makes about 300ml through its own oxidative metabolic processes.

If you don't drink enough water, this is what happens.

1. The pulse rate goes up and there is an increase in the rectal temperature

2. Respiration increases

3. Numbness and tingling are experienced in the extremities

4. Blood concentration increases

5. Reduced blood volume and more difficult circulation of the blood

The difficulty and inadequacy of the circulation of blood under these conditions leads to:

1. breathing problems

2. gastric upsets

3. nausea and loss of appetite

4. eventually difficulty in muscular movements and emotional instability

In a scientific study involving animals, the restriction of water gave rise to irritabliity and for some, bad temper.

Thirst

It has been demonstrated that under intense physical activity a male will only drink voluntarily around 50% as much water as what is required to replace losses from urine and sweat. Only after rest and food do the cravings for the required amount of water return to replace the fluid deficit.

Hot Drinks

After drinking hot liquids, the internal temperature of the body rises, resulting in sweating. This cools the body down. This is sometimes used in the practice of medicine when an increase in body temperature is required for a short time, or whether sweating is required. So it is preferable to choose cool or cold drinks rather than hot ones to replace fluid losses, particularly if hot drinks are the only types of drinks that are normally chosen.

Drinks containing sugar

During periods of physical activity that last under an hour and a half, water is the preferred choice. However drinks that contain a small amount of carbohydrate can sustain power better than water alone during activities that would create fatigue in an hour or longer.

Article Source: http://www.lifeweightloss.com

Maria has worked in alternative medicine as a nutritionalist and reflexologist. She is qualified in therapy massage and sports injuries. Her speciality is the treatment of allergies. She can be located at london nutritionist

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