How Much Water Does Your Body Need?

Did you know that water makes up 83% of our blood, 75% of our muscles, 75% of our brain and 86% of our lungs? Water is also a critical component to some of the body's most important functions. Water:

• Delivers oxygen to the cells
• Transports nutrients
• Hydrates cells
• Carries electrical charges to other cells
• Flushes toxins
• Removes waste
• Lubricates joints
• Acts as shock absorber for joints and organs
• Regulates body temperature
• Promotes natural healing

Fairly impressive isn't it? Yet, we don't seem to give water the bragging rights that it deserves. Many people know that a body with no water would die in a matter of days, but there are still some people who go an entire day without drinking any. The truth is that many people are walking around dehydrated and don't even know it. They may feel fatigued, irritable and have a headache and credit it all to a bad day at work when in fact, they may just be thirsty.

Don't be fooled into thinking that you can get the same benefits from drinking sodas, coffee, and processed juice. For every one serving of these beverages, you deprive your body of a vital nutrient (water) and in the process you destroy other important nutrients like vitamins and minerals. When water is pure and free from additives, the body can quickly put it to use. Beverages like sodas and coffee are taxing on the body and force it to work hard at processing the sugars and caffeine. The whole point of drinking water is to give your body more of what it needs and less of the things that are harmful.

Try to make water the majority of your liquid intake each day. Keep in mind that beverages like herbal tea, fresh squeezed juice and fruit itself, all contributes to your water intake. The goal is to consume half of your body weight in ounces. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs, you should be drinking 75 ounces of water every day.

If you get sick or engage in regular exercise, then you need to increase this amount since the body requires more water when under stress. Be sure that you are drinking quality water and not cleverly packaged tap water or sugary products like Gatorade. Flavored water and sports drinks are packed with sugar and are not good for hydration. Purified, distilled, and filtered water are all good options. The cleaner the better; and more is always best.

Coach Nikole Seals

Nikole Seals has a health and family coaching practice in Orange County, CA. She offers individual coaching services in-person, by phone and via Skype.

Visit her blog http://www.HealthyorHype.com for free health tips, nutrition advice, and reviews on popular health products.

To learn the Secrets to Looking and Feeling Younger, read a free excerpt from her best-selling eBook, "Secrets to Healthy Aging" at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0060Q70SS