Audrey Hepburn said, “Water is life, and clean water means health.” She was right. Our bodies are made of about 60% water. Water is vital for life as we know it. So it is not surprising that water is one of the most important things you can consume.
The importance of water
Water is critical for the homeostasis of our cells and proper function of just about everything that makes us operate as living beings. Water carries nutrients and oxygen to your cells, flushes bacteria from your bladder, aids digestion, prevents constipation, normalizes blood pressure, stabilizes your heartbeat, cushions your joints, protects organs and tissues, regulates body temperature, and maintains electrolyte balance, among other things.
Do you drink enough water?
Adequate water consumption is very important to keep from becoming dehydrated. For generally healthy adults, the guideline is four to six cups of water per day. This “How much water should you drink” article from Harvard Health Publishing provides more information. It’s also a good idea to talk with your doctor about specific recommendations for your body and health conditions.
Quality is as important as quantity
Drinking enough water is important, but the quality of the water you drink also matters. Water is a major transporter of essential minerals, but can also transport deadly chemicals into our body.
Many of the cities and communities that we live in have very poor quality of water, including many toxins and heavy metals. These toxins are placed in our environment by human activity. We spray our food and soil with chemicals that destroy other living organisms, like bacteria and insects. What we don’t realize is that our bodies are made up of trillions of bacteria that help us survive and function. So, in a way, we are slowly killing ourselves!
Improving the quality of the water you drink
There are many things that we can do to improve the quality of the water that we drink and, ultimately, start saving our lives. Individually, we can start in our own homes by installing water filtration/purification systems. Some of these may not take out all chemicals or toxins, but it’s a good start. Best Reviews has a great article on the best water filtration systems for your needs and budget.
You can also purchase organic produce and products, which support sustainable practices and reduce water pollution from fertilizer and pesticide run-off.
I pray in the future we can stop poisoning our Earth and all live healthier and happier lives, starting with fresh water.
Want to take a deeper dive into the topic of water?
Here are a few resources I find helpful:
- Water: How much should you drink every day? From the Mayo Clinic
- How much water should you drink? From Harvard Health Publishing
- Buying guide for best water filtration systems, from Best Review
- Can you drink distilled water? From Healthline