Appropriate Hydration Can Make a Difference

Abstract

Water is an essential component in terms of having a role in building of human body. The total body water
content must be adequately maintained for the health and wellbeing of an individual. Water intake as well as
water loss is governed by efficacious homeostatic mechanisms which are receptive to even minute changes
such as hundred milliliters. Water deficit happens as hypohydration when fluid intake is not sufficient to replace
fluid losses. When water loss exceeds the amount of water consumed, dehydration results. Mild dehydration is
described as fluid loss being around 1-2% of total body fluids. Severe dehydration occurs with fluid loses over
5%. Dehydration has remarkable consequences including effect on body temperature, respiratory rate, mental
functioning and muscle endurance. Overall, the role of water as a necessary nutrient is indispensable.
Consequently, appropriate hydration status is extremely imperative for health and wellbeing of an individual.¹ The human body contains around 70% of water. In terms of body weight water makes up 75% in infants and
55% in elderly. Water is necessary for cellular homeostasis as well as life. Still plentiful unanswered² questions exist regarding this extremely imperative constituent of our body and our diet. The water in the¹ body has diverse physiological roles. These include being required for breathing for oxygen transport to the
cells, metabolism, digestion and absorption of nutrients, detoxification of the body, regulation of body¹ temperature, upkeep of equal osmotic pressure in cells as well as extracellular space etc. Water should be
treated as vital nutrient in diet. Accordingly, it is imperative for health to have total body water (TBW) content
in appropriate standards.