Water. The importance of hydration and the basic rules.

Good hydration is essential for health and well being. Every cell in the human body needs water then hydration is essential also for the simple most basic physiological functions such as regulation of blood pressure and body temperature, hydration and digestion.

Brain

Adequate hydration is important for proper brain function. When we appropriately hydrated, the blood that reaches the brain cells is richer in oxygen and the brain is more alert. A mild dehydration, that is, a loss of 1-2% of body weight, It can affect the ability to concentrate. A loss of body weight greater than 2%, due to dehydration, It can adversely affect brain processing capacity, damaging the short-term memory.

Cell

A hydrated body is able to deliver the best carbohydrates cells, the vitamin, minerals and other important nutrients, as well as the oxygen. The cells in turn produce the energy necessary for the functioning of the organism. In addition to, hydration facilitates the elimination of metabolic waste products, allowing the correct functioning of cells.

Digestive System

Hydration plays an essential role in the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients by the digestive system. The water is necessary to dissolve the nutrients so that they are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to the cells. Insufficient hydration slows digestion and poor hydration can lead to chronic constipation.

Heart

Liquids are important for the proper functioning of the heart and a good regulation of water balance it is essential to maintain blood pressure at the right levels. Dehydration decreases cardiac output, with a consequent increase in heart rate and a decrease in blood pressure. The circulatory system is instead to the brain, the muscles and all other tissues a constant amount of oxygen.

Kidneys

An adequate intake of water is essential for the proper functioning of the kidneys, as it helps them to eliminate waste and excess nutrients primarily through the urine. The kidneys regulate the water levels in the body by increasing or decreasing the flow of urine. also they work to control the normal levels of sodium and other electrolytes. The kidneys of a healthy individual well hydrated seep around 180 liters of water a day. Clearly much of this quantity must be absorbed in order to prevent an excessive leakage of liquids from the body.

Muscles and joints

Water acts as a lubricant for muscles and joints, acting as a bearing for the latter and helping the proper functioning of the muscles. The muscles and joints, in addition to the bone, They are needed to sustain us, sit, move and perform all daily activities. Maintaining the correct water balance is essential for optimal functioning of muscles, constituted for approximately 70-75% of water.

Skin

The skin is a defense against pathogens and helps prevent the development of infections and allergies. Some believe that good hydration helps to hydrate body tissues and preserve the elasticity, softness and skin complexion, although research has not provided conclusive data about.

Temperature

The water in the body plays an important role as controller, since it regulates the overall temperature of the body helping to disperse the heat. If the body overheats, the water is discharged through the sweat and the evaporation of sweat from the skin surface this eliminates the heat from the body. Sweating is the most effective means available to the body to prevent its overheating.

• 1 Be sure to always drink, in the morning , a digiuno , one or two glasses of water at room temperature, It purifies the body and stimulates urine output ( renal activities ) after the night break;
• 2 Always drink also between meals and not wait to be thirsty to make us drink.
• 3 The water does not hurt and being without food intake of calories does absolutely get fat;
• 4 Do not drink less than two liters of water a day;
• 5 Water is a great tool for weight loss, primarily because it takes the place of all the other drinks, such as carbonated, fruit juices or spirits, which are a source of calories. Drinking lowers your appetite ; often when we think we are hungry we actually thirsty. The water, It should therefore be drunk in abundance during a diet;
• 6 Drinking a good amount of water favors the reduction of cardiac risk. A study of 6 years published in May 2002 American Journal of Epidemiology has shown that those who have more than 5 glasses of water a day had, during the study period, the 41% more likely than not to suffer a heart attack than those who drank less than 2 glasses of water a day;
• 7 Another symptom of dehydration is headache, In fact, often this symptom is simply tied to a decreased intake of water. Clearly, the causes can be many but dehydration is a fairly common cause;
• 8 Drinking a good amount of water it has been correlated to a decrease in the 45% the risk of colon cancer. Drinking plenty of water can also decrease the risk of bladder cancer and breast.

We drink! But drinking also means eating foods rich in water and then , remember to EAT well ! A lot of good fruits and vegetables.