The importance of hydration and our body

Water Fuels Essential Bodily Functions

Water is physiologically necessary to perform basic body functions. It maintains body temperature through sweating, delivers oxygen and nutrients to the cells in blood plasma and eliminates metabolic waste materials in the form of urine. Water also facilitates the lubrication of joints, cushions the brain and spinal cord and is required in order to promote effective digestion. These fundamental processes have an inherent need of sufficient water supply.

Hydration Sustains Vital Organ Function

Proper hydration is the key to the activity of vital organs. Information that constitutes adequate intake of water translates directly to the use of the kidneys to easily filter blood and cleanse the body of waste products and help maintain a proper electrolyte balance. The brain is an organ that is basically in need of water to operate well in terms of cognitive performance, concentration, and functioning of neurotransmitters; dehydration slows down its functioning. The heart needs a lot of water in the way of blood.

Optimal Cognitive Performance Requires Hydration

Cognitive performance is directly affected by the hydration status. When there is proper consumption of fluids, the blood circulation into the brain will be sufficient in providing the required oxygen and nutrients. Even mild dehydration of 1-2 percent of body weight loss causes an observable impairment to critical functions of the brain. It makes attention span shorter, working memory fails and the information processing becomes slow. The accuracy of decision-making drops and the reaction is slow. Maintaining prime hydration is essential to prime mental clarity, attention and higher order thinking.

Dehydration Risks Serious Health Consequences

Dehydration serves as a direct danger to vital processes of the organism. Lack of hydration exerts too much pressure on the kidneys and this predisposes one to getting kidney stones and in the long-run getting into chronic kidney disease. More importantly, dehydration decreases blood volume, which harms the circulation system and forces the cardiovascular system to strive. This considerably increases the chances of heat exhaustion and even fatal heat stroke, especially when you are exerting yourself or when you are working in a hot place. Serious dehydration is a medical emergency, which may lead to seizures, perilous reduction in blood pressure (hypovolemic shock), and multi-organ disharmony. It is important to stay sufficiently hydrated to avoid these dangerous health implications.

Consistent Hydration Regulates Body Temperature

A regular level of hydration does wonders in terms of regulation of body temperature. A lot of metabolic and environmental heat is absorbed by water. When a person is well-hydrated, sweat can be effectively produced; the evaporation of sweat cools the skin, and takes the heat out of the blood under the skin surface, reducing core body temperature. This cooling mechanism becomes impaired in the case of dehydration. Decreased plasma volume of the blood narrows the output of sweat, flow of blood in the skin compelling it to retain heat. This increases internal temperature when in the heat or workout. Drinking abundantly prevails such an important physiological course of action.