Life itself is dependent on water. The human body is generally 75% water and the brain is 85% water by weight (water in the brain helps protect it from the skull). Our body cells are made up of 75% to 90% water. We simply can’t stay alive without it. There are several reasons we must have it.

First, water is called the universal solvent and most of the body’s chemical reactions take place in solution. Second, water allows blood to flow through the blood vessels. It keeps blood runny. Third, water is an excellent absorber of heat and this fact helps regulate body temperature both by storing heat when cold and by losing heat through evaporation (sweating) when hot. Sweating has the added benefit of helping to cleanse impurities and waste from the cells.

Much as we need water, our bodies are constantly losing it. The body loses water three ways. First, we lose water when we pass urine. Though most of the 45 to 50 gallons of fluid the kidneys process each day is returned to the body, the kidneys still produce more than a quart of urine per day. Since urine is 95% water, we must replenish that water other ways. The body also loses water by perspiration and defecation.

We repeat, this lose means water must be replaced. On average a person should drink two quarts or eight to ten glasses of water each day. If we don’t, we will quickly become dehydrated. Some have estimated that as much as 75% of Americans are dehydrated. If not treated properly, dehydration can be fatal.

Dehydration may occur because of sickness causing diarrhea and/or vomiting. When sick to the stomach, most people can’t keep anything down. But as soon as possible replace these lost liquids. The old and the young are most likely to be dehydrated. The old get dehydrated because their ability to sense thirst is weakened with age. A lost of more than 1% of body weight is considered severe dehydration.

How can you tell if you are dehydrated? The first sign is passing only a small amount of dark urine. A dehydrated person might also have a raised body temperature for no evident reason. They might also experience extreme thirst, fatigue, headaches, nausea, and confusion. A person may also have a lack of tears or sunken eyes.

Here is a simple test to see if you are dehydrated. Pinch your skin on the arm, leg, or belly, then let go. If you are dehydrated, the skin will be slow to return to its normal position. If you aren’t sure, drink a glass of water anyway. Here’s another plus: kidney stones are rare on people who drink sufficient pure water daily.

Low blood pressure, convulsions, loss of consciousness, inelasticity of the skin, severe cramping of the arms, legs, stomach, and back, heart failure, sunken eyes, and deep, rapid breathing are all evidence of severe dehydration. In such cases, a person will need to replace salts and glucose as well as water.

Of course, it is important to drink healthy water. Be sure your water supply is pure. The bottom line is, take seriously the importance of drinking sufficient pure water each day. Eight to ten glasses can go a long way in helping you maintain a healthy body.