Nutrition Guide: Water

Water is essential for all energy production in the body. Water is also used for temperature regulation and waste elimination and is essential to cell processes.

An inadequate supply of water can result in up to a 30% reduction of energy. Between 50% and 70% of the body weight is water.

Insufficient water in the body results in a decrease of blood volume thereby reducing the overall oxygen transport ability of the blood to properly supply the muscles during exercise.

Since blood is used to regulate body temperature, inadequate cooling of the body occurs.

The heart rate increases as the cardiovascular system is stressed and overheating occurs leading to possible heat stroke or heat exhaustion. We can survive without other nutrients for several weeks. However, we can only survive without water for about one week.

Water is used to emulsify solutions within the body and transport them to the various tissues including the transport of waste byproducts.

To continue, click here: Nutrition Guide: Micronutrients