According to experts, the human body is composed of approximately 25% solid material and 75% water. Brain tissue contains about 85% water, and blood contains about 90% water. Human metabolism is carried out through water as a medium. Therefore, just like air and sunlight, water is one of the most fundamental elements for the existence of life. Water functions to regulate the body's temperature, participate in metabolism, replenish body fluids, transport nutrients, maintain the body's acid-base balance, and keep cells in their optimal state.
Water within the body is in a state of constant motion, constantly renewing itself. Therefore, we must maintain its dynamic balance within the body. According to experts, in a healthy body, the daily food intake will provide 1000 ml of water, body metabolism will produce 300 ml of water, and an external supply of 1500 to 1800 ml of water is needed daily. A person may excrete 1500 ml of water through urine daily, 500 ml of water is lost through skin evaporation, and 500 ml is lost through respiration. This means that each person needs a supply and consumption of 2500 ml of water daily to ensure a water balance.
Although water is so important in the human body, many people are still threatened by dehydration. Some mistakenly believe that the body only lacks water when the mouth is dry. This misconception leads to widespread, chronic dehydration, which in turn leads to health problems. For example, dehydration can cause the blood to become concentrated, leading to poor circulation and affecting the delivery of nutrients, thereby reducing the nutrient supply to cells. Another example is that the body eliminates waste from the blood through sweat and urine. If there is a lack of water, metabolic waste products are not easily expelled from the body. In addition, lack of water can also lead to weight gain, reduced sebum secretion, dry skin, and increased wrinkles.
Expert Commentary on Various Types of Water
Currently, besides tap water, the market also offers purified water, magnetized water, mineral water, and many other varieties, which makes people feel confused when choosing. What kind of water should we drink?
Tap Water: For decades, tap water has been the main source of drinking water for urban residents. However, in recent years, water sources in various regions have been polluted to varying degrees, significantly compromising the water quality. Furthermore, when tap water is disinfected, chlorine or bleaching powder containing chlorine is used. While these kill bacteria, they also lead to the chlorination of various organic substances by free chlorine, including harmful dioxins, which endangers consumers' health.
Purified Water: Purified water is a type of drinking water produced through a special filtration device with multiple layers of filtration. On one hand, purified water filters out various harmful and toxic substances from the water. On the other hand, it also filters out the beneficial minerals for the human body. Long-term consumption of purified water can affect the body's acid-base balance, the function of nerves, muscles, and various enzymes, and weaken the body's immunity. Teenagers who are in a growth period should pay special attention to drinking this type of water as little as possible.
Mineral Water: Mineral water refers to groundwater from deep underground that flows through rocks. Mineral water contains certain trace elements that can promote human metabolism. However, the trace elements in mineral water are relatively singular and cannot provide the body with comprehensive and balanced minerals. Regular consumption of this type of water can lead to an excessive intake of certain elements, which deposit in the blood and cells, causing a metabolic imbalance of trace elements and increasing the burden on the kidneys, easily leading to kidney stones, ureteral stones, and gallstones.
Magnetized Water: Magnetized water is water made by simulating drastic changes in the Earth's magnetic field to increase the energy state of water. It is hoped that the energy of the magnetic field can break apart long-chain water molecule clusters, increasing the activity, energy state, and nutrient delivery capacity of the water. However, once this water leaves the magnetic field, it returns to its original state and does not achieve the purpose of magnetization.
Ecological Water: Ecological water is a concentrate obtained by processing natural, non-toxic ores such as maifanstone, celestine, and muyu stone through high-temperature oxygen injection and alternating strong magnetic fields, which is then diluted with purified water to make a drinking water. It contains more than 30 life-related elements, including more than 10 life-catalyzing and activating power element complex ions, and is a high-energy state living water. Currently, ecological water has been tested and proven by relevant national departments to be the healthiest drinking water for humans.
Scientific Water Drinking: Four Dos and Don'ts
Drink water on schedule, not only when you are thirsty. You should know that when your body really wants water, your organs are already operating in a state of extreme dehydration, meaning they are very short of water. You should replenish water long before you feel thirsty. Experts recommend developing the habit of drinking water on schedule. Generally, it is best to drink a glass of plain warm water after brushing your teeth in the morning, one at 10 AM, one before lunch, one around 3 PM, and one before going to bed at night.
Drink more boiled water, not unboiled water. Boiling water for 3 minutes can evaporate chlorine and some harmful substances from the water, while also retaining the essential nutrients in the water. There are many hazards to drinking unboiled water because chlorine in tap water can interact with residual organic matter in unboiled water, increasing the risk of bladder cancer and rectal cancer.
Drink fresh boiled water, not water that has been left for too long. Fresh boiled water is not only sterile but also contains more than ten kinds of minerals needed by the human body. However, if left for too long or if it's water from an automatic water heater that has been re-boiled overnight, it will not only lose various minerals but may also contain certain harmful substances, such as nitrites. Nitrite poisoning from such causes is not uncommon.
Drink more warm salt water, not ice water. In the summer, many people choose to drink ice water or cold drinks after sweating heavily. This is actually unscientific. Although this may bring temporary comfort, drinking large amounts of ice water or cold drinks can cause sweat pores to not expel properly, making it difficult for the body to dissipate heat, leading to a buildup of residual heat and easily causing heatstroke. The correct method is to drink more warm water with a little salt to replenish the lost salt and water. When salt water enters the body, it quickly penetrates the cells, allowing the dehydrated body from continuous sweating to be replenished with water in a timely manner.