Eating a wide variety of foods will help to ensure a well-balanced diet. A well-balanced diet should provide a sufficient intake from carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. While these five nutrients are all essential to the human body, there is one nutrient that is often forgotten. That nutrient is water.

Even though water is not a source of calories, it is the most important nutrient. We can survive for weeks without food, but we can survive only a few days without water . A baby is about 85% water while the average adult is about 60-70% water.

Water has been called the universal solvent. Water can also be looked at as the glue that keeps us together. Without water, joints don’t move, blood (which is about 90% water) doesn’t flow, body organs don’t work, and muscles (which are about 75% water) don’t function. In addition, water helps to regulate our body temperature and moistens our lungs, enabling us to breathe.

Even though water is a very important nutrient for the body, many people fail to take in adequate amounts of water. The general recommendation is to drink about eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. This amount can vary, depending on variables such as a person’s weight and activity level.

With the summer upon us, the main way water is lost is through perspiration. For example, jogging on a warm day can result in a loss of 3 quarts of water in an hour. Exercise or vigorous activity elevates the temperature of the body. If adequate water is not taken in, the body loses its ability to properly cool itself. Fatigue can set in, and in some cases, dehydration.

Many of us drink water only when we are thirsty. However, thirst is a poor indicator of when to drink water. By the time the sensation of thirst occurs, an appreciable amount of water has already been lost. A conscious effort must be made to drink adequate amounts of water throughout the day, especially during strenuous activity and in warm weather. Since children are usually more active than adults, we must also be sure that children consume adequate amounts of water. If plain water isn’t the preferred choice, try flavored water, juices, or milk.

Copyright© 1999-2006 Kevin Kelly, LRD. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.

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