Why Water Is the Most Important Nutrient in the Body

The importance of water when it comes to human health can’t be overemphasized. There is a reason it is recommended that you drink eight glasses of water every day. Sadly, most people find it hard to drink enough water and end up dehydrated. What most of these people don’t know is that water is one of the most important nutrients in the body. It serves so many functions in the human body and that is the reason people say water is life. The body depends so much on water that it is impossible to survive without water.

 

Water is a carrier

Water is vital for cellular homeostasis as it transports all nutrients to the cells. It also helps remove waste from the cells. If you want to make the most out of your meal, drink water before, during, and after your meals. This is contrary to what some people think but research shows that with this, your body gets to break down the food much easier. Your food is carried to the stomach and digested easily and the nutrients are taken to the cells in your body.

Water also helps dissolve minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients in your food. This means you can eat a healthy diet and never make the most of it due to the lack of enough water in the body.

Most of the foods we eat no matter how dry the food seems to contain water as a nutrient. Did you know that the body can get almost 20% of its total water requirement from solid foods? Water is also produced as a by-product through the process of digesting food. This water accounts for about 10& of the body water requirement. The remaining 70% must come from fluids.

 

Helps regulate body temperature

When working out or engaging in any physical activity, staying hydrated is vital to maintain the body temperature. When you sweat, your body loses water which helps keep the body cool. If you don’t replenish the water lost, your body temperature rises as the body loses plasma and electrolytes when dehydrated.

You can sit and talk about all other nutrients required by the body but water is by far much the most important. It helps transport all the other nutrients through the body to help maintain cellular structural integrity. Water is required for almost all body functions. Without water, your body would shut off. Did you know severe dehydration can cause confusion and hallucinations?

 

Sources

1. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/water-a-vital-nutrient

2. https://www.nature.com/articles/ejcn2009111#:~:text=Water%20is%20essential%20for%20cellular,Grandjean%20and%20Campbell%2C%202004).

3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/digestion/faq-20058348

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