Importance of Water in Our Diets

We’ve all heard that we should be drinking six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day, but why?

Well, water accounts for 50-60% of our overall body mass. It is a part of every body cell, tissue and organ.  Without water humans would die within a few days. Water also plays an important role in the following functions of the body: transporting of blood, sugar, oxygen & fats to muscles, eliminating waste, regulating body temperature and lubricating joints.

So if an adequate amount of water is not consumed, body fluids will be out of balance, causing dehydration, which can be life-threatening if it is a severe case. If you wait until you are thirsty, you may already be dehydrated, so it is important to drink before you become thirsty.

Signs of dehydration include:

Muscle cramps

Intense thirst

Weakness

Dark colored urine

Headache

Nausea

Fatigue

Dizziness

Confusion

We can also get water from fruits and vegetable as well as other beverages. However, avoid caffeine because it is dehydrating. Sports drinks provide electrolyte replacement but that is not necessary during short-term exercise (less than 60 minutes), and just provides extra empty calories. Sodas and fruit juices provide small amounts of fluid, and again often add extra calories. So instead of sodas, try seltzer water with a splash of fruit juice.

Rebecca LeSaffre is the owner of Lynnfield Boot Camp, and is an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, a Fitness Nutrition Coach and a Physical Therapist Assistant. She is qualified to assess what types of exercises will be most beneficial for meeting personal fitness goals, while also helping assure that you use proper form for maximum results and injury prevention. You can contact her via her web site www.lynnfieldbootcamp.com