As an essential nutrient, water is the most often overlooked and taken for granted. Yet 75 percent of our body weight is water. Water contributes to nearly every major process in our bodies. It keeps our body temperature stable, maintains body chemicals at their proper concentrations, carries nutrients and oxygen to cells, and removes waste products. Water also cushions joints and protects organs and tissues.
An insufficient intake of water or excessive loss of water can result in dehydration and heat exhaustion, a condition characterized by dizziness, vomiting, muscle cramps, fatigue, and confusion. Fortunately, under most circumstances our bodies are good at telling us when we are nearing dehydration. When we feel thirsty, our bodies need water. However, as we get older, our bodies’ ability to sense dehydration decreases, and older adults often lose the sense of thirst. Our need for water increases with exercise; exposure to hot or even warm, dry, or extremely cold conditions; pregnancy and breastfeeding; and the use of some medications. Nutritionists recommend that we drink 8 or more 8-ounce glasses of water daily. Many fruits and vegetables are 80 to 90 percent water. Therefore, in addition to the vitamins and minerals they supply, fruits and vegetables also contribute to our total water intake.
