The water is the most important body nutrient and it is involved in each of its functions, representing 60-65% of the body total mass. The water helps with the temperature maintenance, fat metabolism, the digestion process, and it also lubricates joints, carries nutrients and removes toxins.
The recommended quantity is minimum 2 litres per day, but it may vary depending on age, sex, weight, occupation, and if you do physical exercise, you need to supplement this quantity. The blood is 90% water and it is responsible for carrying nutrients and energy in muscles and to take the waste from tissues. If you do not consume enough water, the body will react taking resources from other places, including the blood, which leads to the closure of some capillary vessels, blood thickening and implicitly an additional effort for the heart to pump the blood and high blood pressure. The latest studies show that dehydration is directly related to headaches, arthritis and hyperacidity.
Have you ever waken up bloated or heavy and having difficulties to place your ring or wedding ring on your finger? If so, your body is trying to send you a message: water retention. If you have a problem with the water retention, the cause is the salt: an excess of salt needs more water to be diluted and this is why reserves are kept in the tissues. This explains why it is recommendable to drink more water to eliminate the salt.
Dehydration is also a cause of gaining weight: without water, the excess glucose remains in the blood flow until it reaches the liver where it is metabolised in the adipose (fat) cells. The body takes its water from these cells as well, trying to compensate for the lack and this process leads to a low mobility when energy is needed. The fat cells remain stored and this is how the kilos add up. You need to know that when you want to lose weight, it is essential to consume a lot of still water.
Besides, the water makes you feel full and suppresses appetite. It is always recommendable to drink water instead of juice, tea or coffee. On the contrary, these products really increase the need of fluids due to the caffeine content. The diuretic drinks force the quick elimination of water which also involves elimination of nutrients.