Drink water and be healthy

Water is the most abundant component in the body since it makes up 70-75 percent of our total body weight.  It aids in digestion, absorption, transport and utilization of electrolytes and other nutrients.  It also helps maintain body temperature and excretes waste products from the lungs, skin and kidneys. Furthermore, it is considered as the most essential of all nutrients.

Our body needs to be sufficiently supplied with water to replace the loss of water in urine, sweat, perspiration, feces, as well as through other body processes that cannot be seen.  Not supplying enough water in the body can affect bodily function and can lead to dehydration and also even to death.  With this, it is just right to say that "water gives life" or without water there could be no life."

Drinking only when thirsty is not a good idea!  Don't wait until you are thirsty to decide to drink because by the time you are thirsty, your body is already dehydrated.  Fluid replacement should be a daily plan.

The daily fluid requirements will vary with the environmental conditions, clothing, intensity and duration of exercise, and other activities.  Based on the 2000 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos developed by a technical working group led by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), water or fluid requirement ranges from 10 milliliters per kilogram (ml/kg) of body weight for infants to 25 milliliters per kilogram body weight for adults which is about 3 glasses of fluids for infants and 6-8 glasses for adults.

You can also get fluids from fruits, vegetables, and other beverages like fruit juices, fortified drinks and flavored sports drink, which provide additional vitamins, especially vitamin C.

To be healthy, get yourself a glass of water and start hydrating your body.  Drink plenty of water!

For more information on food and nutrition, contact:  Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig, Metro Manila; Tel/Fax No.: 837-2934, 837-3164; Trunk line: 837-2071 to 82, local 2296 or 2280;         e-mail:  mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph; FNRI-DOST website: http//www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service: Press Release - IMELDA ANGELES-AGDEPPA, Ph.D., Assistant Scientist)