Deep dive into water drinking

When, why and how much water should one drink...it was not thirst that thrust me into this quest for the facts. I didn't have a dream or nightmare about what kind of water to drink...or not. I wasn't frightened by a large glass of H2O as a child. CAPOW's (Chicago Against Privatization of Water) ongoing questioning about privatization and quality of Chicago water didn't cause it.

I merely opened and read an email from a well-meaning friend. Or was it a plot by someone who knows this subject is deeper than an ocean? One who doesn't want to do the research them self, one who knows that I am a sucker for dipping into the deep waters of research!

Well...here are some watery facts that have bubbled up:

1. Too much and too little of it can kill you
2. Your body is made up of 60-75% of it, while the brain is to be about 85%.
3. Many of your organs need to be flushed by it
4. Your mood or behavior can be affected, resulting in your friends and relatives wishing to flush you
5. Dehydration can be masked as hunger and cause you to eat too much of the wrong foods
6. Speed of fluid intake can cause intoxication which results in damage to and shut down of body parts and systems

What does water do in the body:

• Regulates body temperature
• Carries nutrients and oxygen to the body's cells
• Moistens tissues such as eyes, nose and mouth
• Lubricates joints
• Flushes body waste, cleaning kidneys, liver and alimentary system
• Dissolves minerals and nutrients, making them available to the body

How is water depleted from the body?

• Exist and exercise
• Environment...heat, humidity, altitude
• Body health...illness, conditions, pregnancy or breast-feeding
• Body waste elimination

How do you acquire it?

• Drink primarily water but also fluids like milk, juice as well as beer, wine and caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea and soda.
• Eat (food accounts for about 20% of water intake)

How much is needed stay properly hydrated?

• Drink a glass of water with and between each meal
• Hydrate before, during and after exercise
• Replace alcoholic drinks with sparkling water

What replenishment amount is needed?

• Some say eight ounces (a cup)eight to ten times a day
• Others say that you must calculate it

Why is proper hydration so important?

• Electrolyte imbalance and tissue swelling
  • Resulting in irregular heartbeat
  • Allowing fluid to enter the lungs

• Swelling of brain tissue
  • Resulting in seizures, coma and ultimately death

Many people have a range of opinions, beliefs and commercial reasons for promoting one type of water over another.  Some express that with an almost religious zeal about what your should selection should be.  Here are a few:

• Tap
• Spring or bottled
• Distilled
• Carbonated
• Filtered

While alcoholic beverages are not to be a replacement as the primary source of liquids, the French, this last week, have revealed the best way to pour champagne. Pour the bubbly into a tilted glass, allowing for the best opportunity for the effervescence to enhance the taste. So here's to you....clink!

For more information: Calculate water quantity; Calculator; Bottle vs. Tap;  Types of bottled water; Different types; Distilled water; Chlorination of water; Diabetic Dieting; Tap water risks; Fluoride basics