We forget there is an inseparable relationship between human life and water, starting with the fetus finding life and floating inside of the mother. Once born, demanding mother’s milk and later as it grows, demanding water in one form or another, for physiological reasons.
The amount of water in the human body ranges from 50-75%. The average adult male is about 60% water. The average adult woman is about 55% water because women naturally have more fatty tissue than men.The percentage of water in infants is much higher, typically around 75-78% water, dropping to 65% by one year of age.
Did you know 73% of the brain is water?
That your lungs need to contain 83% of water so you can breath every day, your kidneys 79%, your heart 73% and your skin 64%?
That 70%-80% of your joint cartilage, 31% of your bones and 70% of your muscle are also water?
“DRINKING WATER CAN AND WILL REDUCE MUSCLE AND JOINT PAIN. ”
“Water is the source of all things in the universe. It gives life to all living creatures and it is the liquid from which comes energy"
HOW DOES WATER HELP?
-It’s the primary building block of cells.
-Hydrates the body, reducing cramps, fatigue and headaches.
-Regulates internal body temperature, using perspiration and respiration.
-It flushes waste and toxins out of the body, reducing constipation and that will help you lose weight.
-It insulates the brain, spinal cord, organs and fetus, acting as a shock absorber.
-It is the primary component of saliva
-It lubricates the joints, reducing pain and stiffness.
-Makes your skin glow, improving color and texture allowing it to build new cells properly.
HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE MUSCLES AND JOINTS?
Due to dehydration, the blood volume decreases. This causes a chain of reactions where the heart is compensating for weak blood volume by pumping harder and faster to get oxygen and blood to the organs of your body. The muscles work harder while your joints may not get proper friction and lubrication thus leading to degeneration and ultimately severe pain.
Studies have shown that the more people are dehydrated, the more the intense feeling of pain. Therefore, lack of hydration does not only contribute to the formation of pain but it also aggravates its intensity.
Once the body has been chronically dehydrated for many years or even decades many people start developing the diseases and health conditions such as arthritis.
What about Coffee or Tea?
Coffee and tea can sabotage hydration. Both drinks act as diuretics, meaning they cause your kidneys to pull more water out of your bloodstream even as the digestive system is pulling water into your body. It's a two-step-forward-one-step-back scenario.
If you add milk or sugar, then you reduce the rate of water absorption even further. The bottom line? Reduce the amount of the latte. One of the most common reasons why people don’t drink enough water is because they don’t believe they need it at that time.
Symptoms of dehydration include:
Thirst
Dry mouth
Headache
Constipation
Dizziness
Sleepiness
Low urine output/dark yellow urine
Impaired memory and concentration
Muscle cramps
Fatigue
JOINT PAIN AND STIFFNESS
People who will need to drink MORE water are:
People with kidney or bladder conditions
People trying to lose weight
Pregnant or breastfeeding women
People who are exercising
People who are in hot conditions
People who have been sick with either vomiting or diarrhea
PEOPLE WITH JOINT PAIN AND MUSCLE STIFFNESS
