An adult body consists of about 60% water. But what do we need it for and how does the body use the water we take in? Here you can read about some of the functions of water in the body.
Water and the brain
The human brain is largely made up of water. Studies have shown that a person’s ability to concentrate gradually decreases when the body is only 1-2% deficient in water. A fluid loss of just 2 percent, which is about 1 liter of water, reduces performance by up to 20 percent. So water is very important for brain function.
Water and blood
Your blood is 95% water. There, the water carries essential nutrients to the body’s cells and removes dirt from them. If you are dehydrated, your body’s mechanisms cannot regulate blood pressure properly, which can lead to an increase in blood pressure.
Water and skin
The skin, the largest organ of the body, is 70% water and we lose some of it every day through evaporation.
Water and the musculoskeletal system
Water is essential for wearing surfaces and dishes between vertebrae. The water helps your joints to move smoothly.
Water and the kidneys
Water allows the waste products from the body to be flushed out effectively. If your body doesn’t have enough water, your kidneys have a harder time cleaning your body.
Water and the lungs
The lungs take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide from your body. To work well, they need to be constantly moisturized. Having plenty of water in your body makes the job easier for your lungs.
Water and the gut
Some fibers form a jelly-like mass in water to aid digestion. Others are insoluble but still absorb liquid as they pass through the large intestine. If you are not properly hydrated, the job of your gut can become slower. So drink properly – this will allow you to take care of your gut on a regular basis.
Water and the immune system
The mucous membranes in your mouth, throat and nose are full of antibodies needed to fight viruses that you breathe in or eat. If you don’t drink enough fluids, your mucous membranes dry out and you become more susceptible to infections that can cause colds, tonsillitis and coughs. This is one of the reasons why we get the flu in winter – working indoors in dry air causes dry mucous membranes.
Water, body and air travel
Many people have problems with fatigue and swollen legs during air travel. A large part of the reason is the dry air that sucks the water out of your body, causing you to dehydrate. Less oxygen makes it harder to breathe, and fluid loss increases. Therefore, it is a good idea to drink water before and during a flight.