|
Water is replenished
by drinking liquids, preferably those without caffeine or alcohol, both of
which increase the output of urine and thus dehydrate the body. Many foods are
also a good source of water—fruits and vegetables, for instance, are 80 to 95
percent water; meats are made up of 50 percent water; and grains, such as oats
and rice, can have as much as 35 percent water.
| Water
circulates through our blood and lymphatic system, transporting oxygen and
nutrients to cells and removing wastes through urine and sweat. Water also
maintains the natural balance between dissolved salts and water inside and
outside of cells. |
The human body
is 65 percent water, and it takes an average of eight to ten cups to replenish
the water our bodies lose each day. How much water a person needs depends
largely on the volume of urine and sweat lost daily, and water needs are
increased if a person suffers from diarrhea or vomiting or undergoes heavy
physical exercise. |
