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

Around about 2.5 litres of water is required on a daily basis for an adult to replace fluid losses that occur through the feces, urine, 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.

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

1. Pulse rate and rectal temperature increases

2. Respiration increases

3. Tingling and numbness of fingers and feet

4. Increase in blood concentration

5. Diminution of blood volume and more difficult circulation

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

1. breathing difficulties

2. gastrointestinal upsets

3. nauseousness and loss of appetite

4. if it carries on for an extended period it will cause problems with muscle movement and unstable emotions

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

Thirst

It has been shown that under intense activity a man will voluntarily drink only about half as much water as what is needed to replace his losses from sweating and urine. Only after food and rest does a person crave the water needed to replace the 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 physical activities lasting less than 90 minutes, water is generally the beverage of choice, however, the inclusion of small concentrations of carbohydrate (6%-8% carbohydrate) have been shown to better sustain power output over water alone during physical activities that produce fatigue in 60 minutes or longer.

About the Author

For a fuller 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 complementary medical field for over a decade.