Hydration - Why your body needs water
The human machine requires water to function, but why and how? Physically, water acts as an important means of transport with respect to easing the flow of solids; increasing water content helps to decrease interactions between solid particles and thereby reduce the viscosity of semi-solid fluids. However, it is at the microscopic or molecular level that water serves its most important function with respect to biochemistry and metabolism.

Chemically, water acts as an extremely powerful solute, capable of transporting both charged (ionic) and uncharged (non-ionic) molecules and ions. It is for this reason that water acts as such an important means of regulating the body’s health equilibrium, also know as homeostasis.

Water, through the transport of ions and molecules, is the means by which the countless cells in the various parts of the body are tasked to turn on or turn off various functions. Without water this communication system would not exist in the human organism. If the water quantity is too low or if the ionic equilibrium is off, the communications system can be affected. Without the communication system functioning properly, simultaneous coordination of the myriad of chemical reactions that make for homeostasis under ever-changing circumstances would be impossible.

Likely due to this important role with respect to communication and metabolic regulation, the body as a whole is roughly 70% (at older ages) to 90% (as a newborn) water. Notably, the defining organ of humans, the brain, is comprised of better than 95% water. Because of the brain’s relatively high requirement with respect to water, it is logical that its function could be affected by even mild dehydration—an observation supported by anyone who, potentially through athletic activity, has experienced a water deficit. Common symptoms of this condition include fuzzy short-term memory, general difficulty in concentrating, and impaired judgment. Even for non-athletes, mild dehydration may also lead to daytime fatigue and, peculiarly, to hunger pangs.

Beyond communication, water is also important for the removal of waste products which otherwise would collect in toxic concentrations. Just as an urban collections system uses water to carry daily waste from homes, so too does the human body eliminate undesirable compounds from its system. Reasonably, a decrease in bodily hydration levels causes otherwise acceptable levels of toxins to concentrate in the absence of sufficient dilution water. Further, with dehydration, insufficient water may be available to wash out the toxic by-products of metabolism. Under these conditions, a chemical feedback system, indicated by molecular receptors, may well respond to heightened toxicity by shutting down processes that would otherwise create more waste production. As a result, the person experiencing dehydration could receive negative signals, likely in the form of pain or discomfort that may be severe enough to force foregoing activity.

Given water’s important role in regulating homeostasis through communication and waste removal, then, it makes sense that even a slight reduction of this material in the body could lead to compromised health. The list of ailments potentially exacerbated or partially attributable to dehydration is growing. Additionally, running a chronic water deficit may contribute to a host of conditions that degrade the quality of life. Given the strength of the above arguments, it is possible to present an easy recommendation for improving health and well being: drink more water. See our Hydration Tips page for more information.