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Why Is Water So Important? Here’s What You Need to Know
How water works in your body, how much water do you need, how to stay hydrated.
Water is a major component of your body, accounting for 50–60% of your total weight. It is vital for many important body functions, from flushing out waste to lubricating your joints.
Your body constantly loses water throughout the day through urinating, sweating, and breathing. You should consume enough water from foods and beverages daily to prevent dehydration .
This article covers research-backed reasons why your body needs water and how much you need each day.
Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images
All body cells, organs, and tissues require water to function. Generally, a person can only survive without water for a few days.
It Maintains a Normal Body Temperature
Water regulates our internal temperature by distributing heat throughout the body and cooling it through perspiration (sweat).
When the body becomes too hot, it loses water through sweat . The evaporation of sweat from the skin cools the body, keeping its temperature within a normal range.
If a person becomes dehydrated, they can't produce enough sweat to cool their body. This can cause the body's temperature to reach dangerous levels, leading to heat stroke .
Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water if you're working outside or sweating more than usual.
It Protects Your Joints, Spinal Cord, and Other Tissues
Water acts as a lubricant in the mouth (through saliva ) and the eyes (through tears) to help prevent dryness. It's necessary to produce synovial fluid , which lubricates, cushions, and protects the joints.
Water also helps protect the spinal cord and prevents injuries by increasing tissue flexibility and elasticity.
It Transports Nutrients and Gets Rid of Waste
As a major component of blood, water helps transport nutrients and oxygen to cells throughout the body. Water also helps carry waste from the body for excretion through perspiration, urination, and bowel movements.
The kidneys need water to effectively filter waste from the blood and flush it from the body as urine. Staying adequately hydrated helps prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections (UTIs) , which can harm the kidneys.
Prevents Dehydration
Drinking water daily can help prevent dehydration, a condition that occurs when you lose more fluids than you absorb.
Early signs of dehydration include:
- Feeling thirsty
- Dark-colored urine
- Urinating less than usual
Because water is involved in so many body functions, dehydration can eventually cause life-threatening symptoms, including:
- Rapid breathing
- Rapid heartbeat
- Inability to urinate
People who exercise in the heat, work outdoors, or have certain health conditions that cause them to urinate or sweat more than usual are at a greater risk of dehydration.
It Aids Digestion
Your saliva is primarily made up of water. Saliva is a digestive juice that moistens food, allowing it to move easily through the esophagus into your stomach. Saliva also contains enzymes that help break down starches in food.
As the digestive process continues, water helps break down food, allowing your body to absorb nutrients. Water also makes bowel movements easier.
It Protects Against Chronic Illness and Boosts Longevity
Adequate hydration is linked to healthy aging and longevity. One potential reason for this is that decreased water intake can lead to higher sodium concentrations in the blood, which raises the risk of chronic disease.
Studies suggest that adults who stay hydrated are healthier and less likely to develop chronic diseases, including heart and lung disease . Well-hydrated adults also seem to live longer than adults who don't consume enough fluids.
It Improves Mood and Cognitive Function
Dehydration may cause fatigue and confusion and may be linked to symptoms of anger and depression. In a small study, it was linked to poor cognitive function, potentially affecting attention span and working memory.
One study of young adults looked at the effects of water on cognitive performance and mood after 12 hours of water restriction. Researchers found that 200 milliliters of water improved thirst, anger, fatigue, and overall mood. However, 500 milliliters was optimal, improving mood and cognitive performance.
The amount of water you need depends on several factors, including age, sex, activity level, and health status.
For healthy individuals, the adequate daily water intake is around 11.5 cups for women and about 15.5 cups for men. This includes fluids consumed from all foods and beverages.
Experts estimate that most people get around 20% of their daily water intake from food. This means women should drink about 9 cups of fluid daily, while men should aim for 13 cups to maintain adequate hydration.
People who live in warmer climates, are more physically active, or are experiencing an illness that causes fever and/or diarrhea or vomiting have increased fluid needs.
One easy way to see if you are properly hydrated is to check the color of your urine. If you are drinking enough water, your urine will be pale yellow. If it is dark, you may need to increase your consumption.
Individuals with heart failure or kidney disease may need to limit their fluid intake.
Can You Drink Too Much Water?
Drinking too much water can lead to water intoxication or overhydration, which occurs when the kidneys cannot flush out excess water. This can cause a medical emergency due to decreased sodium concentrations in the blood ( hyponatremia ). To avoid water intoxication, do not drink more than 48 ounces, or six cups, per hour.
If you find it challenging to stay hydrated, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:
- Keep a reusable water bottle with you and refill it throughout the day
- Choose water or sparkling water instead of sugary beverages
- When you feel thirsty, drink water
- Change things up by squeezing fresh lemon or lime into your water or adding a few berries or cucumber slices
- Snack on water-rich fruits and vegetables , including watermelon, cantaloupe, lettuce, and celery, throughout the day
- Keep track of your water intake by using a water tracker app
- Drink water with all meals
Water is vital for your health. It is necessary for temperature regulation, digestion, nutrient absorption, and body waste removal. Drinking water daily can prevent dehydration, a condition that can cause mood and memory problems, constipation, and kidney stones.
People who work in high temperatures, exercise at high intensities, or are sick are at a greater risk of dehydration. Talk to a healthcare provider or registered dietitian to determine the right amount of water for you.
Zhou HL, Wei MH, Cui Y, et al. Association between water intake and mortality risk-evidence from a national prospective study . Front Nutr . 2022;9:822119. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.822119
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. How much water do you need?
MaineDOT. The importance of hydration .
Johns Hopkins Medicine. Dehydration and heat stroke .
Lorenzo I, Serra-Prat M, Yébenes JC. The role of water homeostasis in muscle function and frailty: a review . Nutrients . 2019;11(8):1857. doi:10.3390/nu11081857
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Water and healthier drinks .
National Kidney Foundation. 6 tips to be "water wise" for healthy kidneys .
MedlinePlus. Dehydration .
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Your digestive system & how it works .
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Eating, diet, & nutrition for constipation .
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Good hydration linked to healthy aging .
Zhang J, Zhang N, He H, et al. Different amounts of water supplementation improved cognitive performance and mood among young adults after 12 h water restriction in Baoding, China: a randomized controlled trial (RCT) . Int J Environ Res Public Health . 2020;17(21):7792. doi:10.3390/ijerph17217792
National Kidney Foundation. The dos and don'ts of fluid management for kidney disease .
MedlinePlus. Heart failure .
Joo MA, Kim EY. Hyponatremia caused by excessive intake of water as a form of child abuse . Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab . 2013;18(2):95-98. doi:10.6065/apem.2013.18.2.95
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heat stress: hydration .
By Lindsey DeSoto, RD, LD Lindsey DeSoto, RD, is a registered dietitian specializing in nutrition and health and wellness content.
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- Importance of water
An English Essay on the Importance of Water for the Students
Without water there cannot be life on our planet, that is to say on earth. Because every living organism needs water, and therefore having a good understanding and care for the water is a must for all of us. Hence, students should write an essay discussing the importance of water in the English language.
Writing an essay on such a topic opens a series of good ideas in the mind of the students regarding the role that water plays in our lives, and it can also make the students aware of the importance of water.
Also, if you wish to write an English essay on the topic My aim in life you may find this link helpful My Aim in Life Essay in English for Students | Easy Essay on My Aim in Life (vedantu.com)
Advantages of Writing an Essay on the Importance of Water.
Writing an essay on any topic helps the students be good writers, and the same goes for the topic of, Importance of water, but there are quite a few more advantages to writing the essay.
One of the most important things for everyone is to express oneself, and the practice of doing so must be given to the child from a very young age. And writing an essay helps the students in this very important thing.
For writing a good essay on any topic, the students must have a good understanding of the subject of the essay. And hence, writing an essay on the Importance of water, helps the students in learning about the value of water, not just our lives, which is to say humans, but the life of the whole planet.
In his famous play Hamlet Shakespeare writes, Brevity is the soul of wit, meaning being short or concise is very important in speech, or shortness of words is the essence of intelligence. The same rule applies in writing the essay, and doing as clear an understanding of the topic at hand is required as possible. And hence composing an essay on the importance of water helps the students understand the same.
One of the most important gifts that humans are blessed with is the gift of language, and this gift has to be used effectively. Writing an essay helps the students in learning the methods of using the language in such a manner that it makes everything clear to the reader. A good essay does not only touch the heart of the readers but it opens the mind of the reader, it can move them, that is to say, if a good essay is written on the importance of water it can make the readers aware about the same, and not just aware but also careful about using the water.
Water means Life. Water is a prime natural resource. It is a basic need for humans and a precious asset that living beings have. Water is equally vital for the survival of the plant and animal kingdoms. Soil needs water for sustaining plants. The water cycle is essential for ecological balance too. Though a big portion of the Earth is covered with water, only a small portion of it can be used for various human activities. So we need to be judicious and rational, regarding the usage of water.
Why is water important for our bodies?
Water is important for our body for the following reasons.
Above 70% of our body contains water so it is pivotal for the human race to survive.
Water helps in regulating our body temperature.
Water helps in the digestion of solid food.
It also keeps our skin healthy and hydrated.
Water helps in excreting waste from our body through sweat, urination, and defecation. So replenishing the water in our body is essential to prevent dehydration.
Drinking water also helps in reducing calories and maintaining body weight because it can increase the rate of metabolism.
Water consumption lubricates the joints, spinal cord, and tissues.
Importance of Water
All living organisms, plants, animals, and human beings contain water. Almost 70% of our body is made up of water. Our body gets water from the liquids we drink and the food we eat. Nobody can survive without water for more than a week. All plants will die if they do not get water. This would lead to the death of all the animals that depend on plants for their food. So the existence of life would come to an end.
Role of Water In Life Processes
Water plays an important role in most of the life processes by acting as a solvent. The absorption of food in our body takes place in solution form with water as the solvent. Also, many waste products are excreted in the form of solutions through urine and perspiration.
Water helps in regulating our body temperature. In hot weather, we drink a lot of water. This maintains our body temperature. Also, water evaporates from the surface of our body as sweat. This takes away heat and cools the body.
Water is essential for plants to grow. Plants need water to prepare food. They also absorb dissolved nutrients from the soil through their roots.
Aquatic plants and animals use the nutrients and oxygen dissolved in water for their survival.
Uses of Water In Everyday Life
Water is used for drinking, washing, cooking, bathing, cleaning, in our day-to-day life.
It is used to generate electricity in hydroelectric power stations.
Water is used for irrigating fields and in the manufacture of various products.
Other Uses of Water
Water serves as a means of transportation for goods and people.
It provides a medium for recreational sports such as swimming, boating, and water skiing.
Water is also used to extinguish fires.
Importance of Oceans
Oceans are of immense use to man. They are useful in many ways, directly and indirectly. They not only play a significant role in the climate of adjoining countries but also serve mankind in many ways. They are a storehouse of several resources.
An ocean is a major source of water and forms a major part of the water cycle. Oceans contribute water vapor to the atmosphere and we get the same in the form of precipitation.
The oceans are the biggest storehouse of edible forms of marine food, fish being most important. In addition to food, sea animals provide other products like oil, glue, etc.
Oceans have enormous mineral and chemical wealth. A variety of dissolved salts like sodium chloride (common salt), magnesium chloride, and potassium chloride are found in plenty in the oceans.
Oil and gas are important fuels obtained from oceans.
Importance of Lakes and Rivers
Economic and industrial development
Water storage
Hydroelectric power generation
Agricultural purposes
Modern multipurpose dams
Source of food
Source of minerals
Tourist attractions and health resorts
Rivers provide fresh drinking water
Ports can be built on them as they form good natural harbors
Major Concerns
Although our planet Earth is covered with 71% percent of water and 29% of the land, the fast-growing contamination of water is affecting both humans as well as marine life. The unequal distribution of water on the Earth and its increasing demand due to the increasing population is becoming a concern for all.
Water pollution makes it difficult for marine animals to sustain themselves.
Covering over 71% of Earth’s surface, water is undoubtedly the most precious natural resource that exists on our planet. Without the seemingly invaluable compound comprising Hydrogen and Oxygen, life on Earth would be non-existent.
We are slowly but harming our planet at a very alarming rate.
Characteristics of a Good Essay.
It must be brief: As pointed out earlier, a good essay must be short, and also to the point. So, if students are writing an essay on the importance of water it must only deal with the water, and anything which does not directly serve the purpose must be excluded.
Must cover the whole topic: Though it may seem a little contradicting to the first point, what is meant by covering the whole topic is that the maximum number of aspects dealing with the importance of water must be covered in this essay. For instance, water is important for all living organisms and not just humans, and so the same has to be covered in one or the other way in the essay on the importance of the water.
Must be to the point: The essay must remain true to the central idea of the topic, which is the importance of water in this case. Hence, almost all the sentences written in the essay must serve the main topic in one or another way. And also, writing should not be vague or ambiguous, or illogical.
Human beings should realize how important and precious water is. At the individual level, you can be more responsible and avoid wasting water so that our future generation can make the best use of this natural resource abundantly.
FAQs on Importance of water
1. Why is water important?
Water is important because it sustains all living organisms on Earth.
2. How is ocean water useful to Mankind?
Ocean water is useful to mankind in the following ways.
Oceans are a major source of water through the water cycle.
Oceans have direct control over the climate.
Oceans are the biggest storehouse of marine food.
Oceans have enormous mineral and chemical wealth.
3. How is water important for our Body?
Water helps to carry nutrients and oxygen to each and every cell of our body. It helps in digestion. It keeps our skin healthy and hydrated. Water consumption lubricates the joints, spinal cord, and tissues.
4. What are the uses of water in our Daily Life?
Water is used for drinking, bathing, cooking, cleaning, and irrigation of crops and manufacturing various products.
5. Why should I use the essay provided by Vedantu on the Importance of water?
The essay that Vedantu provides on the topic of the Importance of water is prepared by expert teachers, for the students of the English language. And hence this essay can be used by the students as an outline or an example of the essay on the Importance of water, it does not necessarily mean that the students have to copy it completely, but it serves the purpose of guiding the students in attempting the essay. Furthermore, the essay is completely free for download for all the students and also it is available in a PDF file format.
Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Water — The Importance of Water: The Vital Essence
The Importance of Water: The Vital Essence
- Categories: Nutrition Water
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Words: 652 |
Published: Sep 7, 2023
Words: 652 | Page: 1 | 4 min read
Table of contents
Water and human health, environmental balance, agriculture and food security, industrial and economic significance, challenges of water scarcity and pollution, responsible water management.
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