Water 💜

• Water makes up a large part of the body. Approximately 60% of the human body consists of water. Water is found in body fluids, like saliva, sweat and blood, as well as body cells.
• Sources

  
  

  • We get water from both food (e.g. milk, meat, fish, eggs, fruits and vegetables) and drinks.
  • Water is added to foods too, like soups, pastries and pasta.
• Losing water and dehydration

  
  

  • We lose water from our bodies through breathing, urinating, excreting faeces and sweating.
  • Drinking too little water (to make up for water loss) causes dehydration. Dehydration causes:
  • Overheating.
  • Feeling weak and nauseous.
  • Reactions to slow down.
  • Confusion.
  • Thickening of the blood (it's more difficult for the heart to pump thick blood around the body).
  • Change in heart rate and blood pressure.
• Quantities

  
  

  • A person should try to drink around 2 litres of water per day.
  • A person should drink more than 2 litres if it's particularly hot or if they're exercising.
• Overhydration

  
  

  • Drinking lots and lots of water in a short space of time can have serious consequences. Symptoms can include:
  • Feeling confused or nauseous.
  • Headaches.
  • Diluting substances in the bloody and the body's concentration of nutrients.
  • Organ failure (e.g. kidney and heart).
• Why do we need water?

  
  

  • We need water to:
  • Keep skin and mucous membranes healthy.
  • Remove waste (for example, for excretion).
  • Control our body temperature (for example, through sweating).
  • Support digestion.
  • Help with chemical reactions in the body.