Why fluids are important

Athletes may perspire up to 6 to 10 percent of body weight during physical activity. Negative effects of exercise in the heat without enough water can include serious medical conditions, like decreased blood pressure and hyperthermia. Extreme dehydration can cause seizures and even death. Contrary to what some believe, experts confirm drinking water before, during, and after a meal will help your body break down the food you eat more easily. This will help you digest food more effectively and get the most out of your meals.

Research shows the body adapts to changes in the consistency of food and stomach contents, whether more solid or more liquid. In addition to helping with food breakdown, water also helps dissolve vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from your food.

It then delivers these vitamin components to the rest of your body for use. Studies have linked body fat and weight loss with drinking water in both overweight girls and women. Drinking more water while dieting and exercising may just help you lose extra pounds. Water carries helpful nutrients and oxygen to your entire body. Reaching your daily water intake will improve your circulation and have a positive impact on your overall health. Drinking enough water can help prevent certain medical conditions.

These include:. Water also helps you absorb important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from your food, which will increase your chances of staying healthy. Drinking water may activate your metabolism. A boost in metabolism has been associated with a positive impact on energy level.

One study found that drinking milliliters of water boosted the metabolic rate by 30 percent in both men and women. These effects appeared to last over an hour. Proper hydration is key to staying in tip-top cognitive shape. Research indicates that not drinking enough water can negatively impact your focus, alertness, and short-term memory.

Not getting enough water can also affect your mood. Dehydration may result in fatigue and confusion as well as anxiety. Some drinks contain other nutrients in addition to fluid such as sugars, fats, vitamins and minerals. Fruit juice is one such drink with vitamins, minerals and sugars too.

A glass does contribute to fluid intakes and also provides one of the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables. Regularly choosing drinks with higher levels of added sugars can cause dental problems and is also associated with an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, but there are plenty of sugar free choices available today as alternatives. Finally, if you are choosing sugary drinks try to have them at meal times to limit any problems with dental health.

There has been confusion about coffee in particular, with some wrongly thinking it does not hydrate the body as it contains caffeine. Although caffeine is a mild diuretic, the fluid provided by a cup of coffee or tea far outweighs the mild dehydrating effect of caffeine and the fluid levels in the body are improved.

An adequate fluid intake is critical for sports people, principally because their losses of fluid through sweat during activity are increased. It is well known that performance in athletes can drop if fluid levels are not adequate. Athletes often choose isotonic sports drinks to replace both fluid and salts lost through sweat. In fact, regular drinking is as much part of their training as their diet and physical strength.

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For questions relating to the contents of this page, please use any contact details above, or phone or use the Contact Us Form at www. Department of Health. Contact Us. You can contact us via email for all general enquiries and feedback by using the online feedback form National Relay Service. Home Services News. The importance of fluid Why is fluid important? Fluid helps to protect and cushion joints and organs.

Have a cup of low-fat soup as an afternoon snack. Drink a full glass of water when you take a pill. Have a glass of water before you exercise. Drink fat-free or low-fat milk, or other drinks without added sugars.