Water

Water is an incredibly important aspect of our daily lives. Every day we drink water, cook with water, bathe in water, and participate in many other activities involving water.

However, even with all of the importance water holds in our lives, many of us know very little about the water we use each day. We drink tap water, enjoying the convenience and cost-effectiveness of this practice, yet, we fail to recognize the serious threat this water may pose to our health. Those who are willing to forgo the convenience of tap water and indulge in bottled water often know very little about the contents of that water and simply trust that bottled water must be better than tap water. Even conscientious consumers, who wisely attempt to treat their own water in an effort to ensure the healthfulness of that water, often know little about the many home water treatment options now available.

In this age of information, with so many resources immediately available, there is no reason why anyone should remain so ill informed about water.

In terms of volume, water is the most important component of the human body; approximately 55% of the adult body is made up of water. It is so essential for survival that the body must replenish lost water within 2 - 3 days. It plays a role in the regulation of body temperature, the lubrication of joints, and the transmission of sound in the ear; it also functions as a shock absorber in the nervous system. In fact, all bodily functions are dependent on water. It is essential for digestion, absorption, and circulation, as well as for the excretion of bodily waste, the distribution of nutrients, and the regeneration of tissue.

The supply of water in the body is regulated by thirst and must be replenished on a daily basis; people should thus drink at least six – eight, 250ml glasses of liquid (1.5 - 2 litres) per day. The term "liquid" here refers to milk, juice, decaffeinated coffee, decaffeinated tea, herbal tea, and soft drinks, as well as to pure water; fruits and vegetables are also an important dietary source of liquid, since they contain 60 - 90% water.

For more information about water, visit http://www.allaboutwater.org/