water

[Joanie]

water in diet

Definition
People can live for weeks without food. Without water, people will die
within days. The human body is 50% to 70% water.

How does the nutrient affect the body?
Water is one of the most important parts of the diet. Body fluids are mostly
water. These fluids flow through arteries, veins and capillaries and carry
nutrients and wastes. Fluids fill cells and the spaces between them to keep
tissues healthy.

Water is also needed for many chemical reactions in the body. Water
dissolves vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Water helps keep joints
lubricated. Water helps regulate body temperature. When hot water, in the
form of perspiration, evaporates from the skin it cools the body. This keeps
the body's internal temperature within a very small range.
Information
Adults need at least two quarts, or eight cups, of water every day for good
health. Children need four to eight cups depending on age and size. The
easiest way to get water into the body is to drink it. Other fluids, and
even some foods, have water. These can help meet daily water needs. Milk,
fruit juice and even carbonated beverages are good sources of water. Drinks
with caffeine do not help meet daily water needs. Caffeine is a diuretic and
causes the body to lose water. Alcohol does not count toward meeting daily
water goals.

One of the most important jobs of water is to maintain the body's fluid
balance. This is a delicate balance of minerals. These minerals, called
electrolytes, dissolve in water. Electrolytes include sodium, potassium and
chloride. Electrolytes determine how much fluid stays in cells and how much
remains outside cells. An imbalance is not healthy. Too much water inside
cells is called "edema" or simply "fluid retention." Too much water outside
cells is called "dehydration."

Many medical conditions and drugs affect fluid balance. The kidneys do most
of the work of controlling fluid balance. People with kidney disease often
have special needs in terms of the amount they must drink.
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~~Joanie~~
245/217.8/215 minigoal#6 glasses of H2O today 12/12
started ww nov 22/99 pounds left to lose 72.8 pounds divorced- 27.2
Destination 2000 - goal = 12,000 minutes exercise 3490/12,000
Goal ->Vegas 1398 miles 405.8/1398 miles * 8.6 min exercise = 1 mile