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Water - Why We Need To Drink 8 Glasses A Day

By: Maria Esposito Usually about two and a half litres of water is needed each day for a reasonably sedentary adult to replace the total water loss that occurs through skin, lungs, faeces and urine, unless they are in an unusual environment.

Just under half of this should be in the form of drinks such as water or cold herbal teas and just under a litre from food. The remaining 300ml is created by the body from its own metabolic processes.

Problems that arise from not drinking enough water is as follows.

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

2. Respiration rate goes up

3. Experience numbness and tingling in the fingers and toes

4. Blood concentration increases

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

Problems and inadequacies of the circulatory system under conditions of inadequate fluid intake leads to:

1. breathing difficulties

2. gastric upsets

3. nausea and loss of appetite

4. if it continues, muscular and emotional problems

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.

Sugary drinks

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

For a fuller version of this article please visit the alternative medicine website. Maria is a london nutritionist who specialises in the treatment of allergic disorders. She has worked in the holistic medical field for over a decade.

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