Dihydrogen Monooxide

There's a chemical that is naturally present in nature that every body must have in order to survive.  It is dihydrogen monoxide, or water.  Sixty to eighty percent of one's body can be made up of this vital fluid.  You should get in the habit of keeping track of your daily water intake.

Why is it so important?  What counts as water?  When and how should you drink it?  Let me answer these questions.

It is important in virtually all chemical reactions in the body.  To run your body there are thousands of these reactions going on every second.  Many of these reactions involve detoxification - the elimination of toxins and waste products that would kill you if they were prevented from leaving your body.  You lose water through sweat, urine, and breath; with that water loss also pass the toxins.  Water improves your skin tone, it helps moisturize your hair, it puts more shock absorbing cushion in your joints and spine, it helps you lose weight, and it keeps your blood at the right consistency and pH.  When it is hot out it helps cool you off.

Water is water.  Soft drink manufacturers have worked hard since the early 1900's to convince us all that water is not tasty enough.  They have confused our thirst and turned us to an addiction for sweets. The fact is soft drinks do not count as water.  Alcohol of any kind does not count as water.  Coffee or strongly caffeinated tea does not really count as water.  Herbal teas and very very diluted juices can count as water.  Water is the crucial ingredient and should predominant.  The fewer chemicals (e.g. chlorine, fluoride, iron, etc.) the better.  I would not recommend distilled water, however.  Distilled water tends to facilitate the theft of important ions out of the body.

Ideally, the major portion of your water intake should be uniformly distributed throughout the day prior to dinner time.  One suggestion is the 8x8 rule; 8 - 8 ounce glasses a day.  A more accurate measure is based on body weight - one-third of your body weight in fluid ounces; you might want to bump it up to half your body weight when it is hot or if you exercise strenuously.

Naturewords for your health!