It surrounds us by comprising more than 2/3 of the Earth's surface area. 70% of our body weight is from water. The simplicity of its easily recognized symbol H2O, signifying its composition of two hydrogen and one oxygen atom, understates its fundamental importance to all life on our planet. Yet it is believed that much of Earth's water had extraterrestrial origins; having traveled here by way of comets and other celestial bodies. Regardless of its source our planet would be barren without it. Being a basic building block of life, water is second only to our air in sustaining all living things, both animal and vegetable.
The portability of water has made it a common companion to walkers, joggers and thirsty people everywhere. We have become accustomed to carrying individual water bottles everywhere these days, to the point where they have nearly replaced the once ubiquitous water fountain or cooler; formerly the gathering place for spreading office scuttlebutt. They are consumed at the rate of 1500 per second in the U.S. in an attempt to quench our seemingly insatiable thirst. The reason for this is clear; our bodies crave it.
You have probably been advised to drink an average of eight 8 ounce glasses each and everyday. This serves as a guideline and consumption should vary according to your level of physical activity and other factors. Of course not all our water is consumed in its purified form, the average American drinks more than 600 bottled and canned beverages (mostly carbonated and sweetened soft drinks) each year. While they may be fine in moderation, they are not a good substitute for the real thing, sorry Coke.
So why is it so important to us? Well, we couldn't survive without it for more than a few days. When we don't get enough we suffer from dehydration. But that doesn't explain why it is so important to the proper functioning of our bodies.
Well, water has several unique qualities. Its ability to dissolve many substances has made it known as the universal solvent. In addition to other properties this helps to cleanse the body. Osmosis, a process responsible a plant's roots ability to absorb water from the soil, is described as the movement of a solvent through a semi-permeable membrane. The cell walls of the human body are just such a membrane. Osmosis is regulated by mechanisms in the body to keep the concentration of substances within the cell at a balanced level; take away the water and the cell will soon die.
Water is contained in the lymphatic system which provides our immunity to the invasions of our bodies by toxins ans foreign bodies. When we excrete water it removes some of these foreign materials and toxins, helping to maintain the overall health of the body. Just like removal of garbage maintains our environmental health, the body has its own system to dispose of its refuse. Water is a large part of that process.
Other interesting characteristics of water are cohesion and adhesion. Cohesion is created by the attraction of the water molecules due to the hydrogen bonds. When combined with adhesion the resulting capillary action allows a plant to defy gravity and draw water up throughout its entire stem, thus nourishing every cell of the plant structure.
Electromagnetic properties also play a role in the functions water performs in this fascinating process. Substances called electrolytes serve to regulate the body's many internal systems. Among these are sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate. The amount of water in our bodies is regulated by sodium, which is also critical for the generation of electrical signals that are the means of communication for our brain and nervous system. Potassium regulates heartbeat and muscle function.
More detailed information can be found on numerous internet sites that will provide the reader with a greater appreciation for the marvelous structure that is the human body. MedicineNet.com and eMedicineHealth.com have provided some of the factual information for this article and will serve as a starting point of your research.
Our body also uses water to cool itself. When we perspire the sweat glands under our skin excrete water bringing it to the surface. As the water evaporates it draws heat from the body. Without this system of cooling we would be unable maintain a safe body temperature. Normal body temperature varies within a narrow range throughout the day, with the average body temperature being about 98.6 degrees.
One of the great things about drinking water is not having to worry about calories; there aren't any. This may not include some of the new water products being marketed these days, you'd better check the label. Some of these new products even tout health benefits, claiming to contain vitamins and other essential nutrients. Be skeptical and consult your doctor or other healthcare specialist before shelling out the extra money for these products. You'll find that most of the claims made, though within Federal guidelines, may be entirely meaningless.
Maintaining the supply of safe clean water is vital to the continuing existence of all living things. Though we have enjoyed a reasonably high standard of water quality in the U.S. there are locations where sources have become too polluted for human consumption. Since 1948 Congress has declared it in the "national interest" to assure the high quality of water throughout the United States. Through The Clean Water Act of 1972, which remains one of the most controversial laws ever enacted, Congress created and empowered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate the release of pollutants into U.S. waterways.
We should all remain vigilant in protecting our water supply by learning how and where to dispose of contaminants. And report any suspicious dumping of materials into lakes and streams. The task is too important to leave up to a government bureaucracy. And the next time you're feeling thirsty, reach for a tall, cool glass of the best liquid refreshment on earth. Water: It's what your body wants!
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