Water - Why We Need To Drink 8 Glasses A Day

by: MariaEsposito
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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.

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.

What happens if you don't drink enough water?

1. Pulse rate and rectal temperature increases

2. Respiration increases

3. Numbness and tingling are experienced in the extremities

4. Increase in concentration of the blood

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. difficulties in breathing

2. gastro-intestinal upsets

3. nauseousness 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.

Sugar drinks

Water is the preferred choice of liquid for physical activities that last less than 90 minutes. For activities that would create fatigue after an hour or so, drinks that contain some carbohydrate are better for sustaining power output than water alone.

About the Author

For an expanded version of this article please visit the alternative medicine website. Maria is a london nutritionist who specialises in the treatment of allergies. She has worked in the holistic health field for ten years.  

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