We’ve all heard it before: our bodies are comprised of mostly water (55 to 60% overall body composition) but the percentage can vary greatly by tissue type. Typical human cells contain 65% water, while fat cells only contain 10-15%. Bones contain approximately 20% while plasm contains 93% water. Muscle and organ tissue average 70 to 80% water.
Water is considered a “critical nutrient whose absence will be lethal in days.” (Nutr Rev. 2010 August ; 68(8): 439–458). Not only does water contribute to the overall hydration of the body, it also supplies Oxygen and Hydrogen that are essential parts of biological processes including proper Mito function.
PROPER WATER INTAKE: Proper hydration is dependent on several variables that include age, gender, size/mass, individual activity level and metabolic activity (energy expenditure), environmental conditions and health issues. Therefore, there cannot be a “one size fits all” recommendation. An age-old recommendation of “Adequate Intake” has been eight, 8 ounce glasses of water per day; however, this suggested level takes no account of the differences in even overall size/mass of the individual. A more recent recommended Adequate Intake has been, as a minimum, consuming one-half ounce of water for every pound of body weight. An easy calculation of this is to take your body weight in pounds and simply divide it in half and that is your personal “minimum” daily intake of water in ounces. (Ex. someone 160 pounds would have a minimum daily intake of 80 ounces of water.) Again, this figure is considered a minimum for Adequate Intake and does not factor in heat/humidity, activity level, or health conditions that can cause dehydration, etc.
NOTE: Not all fluids are created equally. For hydration purposes, clean, pure WATER is always best. Although it is important to replace depleted essential electrolytes, drinks that contain sugar, caffeine and other ingredients / chemicals can actually accelerate the condition of dehydration.
Try my recipe for Homemade Flavored Aloe Water. This simple recipe gives you Amino Acids and electrolytes that will feed your Mitochondria while keeping you flavorfully hydrated.
TIP: Keep a glass of water by your bed and drink 8 to 16 ounces before getting up in the morning. In addition to hydration, it sparks the endocrine system and increases metabolic processes, helps to flush toxins from the body (including the massive buildup that just occurred overnight), primes the digestive system to function optimally and can also result in eating less.