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We are made of water – more than half our body weight is water and every process that keeps us alive depends on water – digestion, elimination of waste and excess heat (sweating). Water keeps us alive and more than two days without water can be fatal. In fact, we can live longer without food than without water. In addition to being an important part of the fluids in your body, each cell depends on water to function normally.
Any liquid you drink will contain water, but simple, clean water is the best drink of all. Our body also obtains water from the food we eat, particularly from fruits and vegetables – you can taste the water in a tomato or a peach.
When your body becomes dehydrated from lack of water, everything you do is affected. You move more slowly, feel more tired and even your thinking process becomes more sluggish. Severe dehydration will make you feel ill and begin to have serious effects on your body.
Your body can help you stay properly hydrated by regulating the amount of water in your system. The body can hold on to water when you don't have enough or get rid of it if you have too much. If your urine has ever been very light yellow, your body might have been getting rid of excess water. When it is very dark yellow, it's holding on to water – a sign that you should be drinking more. Drinking enough water is a simple tonic, and it’s free of calories as well.
Older adults often don’t feel thirsty even if their body needs fluids. Your body will let you know in a variety of ways when you have deprived it of water. Drinking enough fluids every day is especially important for those who exercise regularly, eat large amounts of protein, use laxatives, or live in areas with high temperatures. Check with your doctor, however, if you’ve been told to limit how much you drink.
Try to avoid drinks with sugar and additives. Natural fruit and vegetable juices are refreshing and wholesome, as are teas infusions. The great variety of teas today make becoming an expert taster a real adventure. I’ve even enjoyed a tea exported by the Inuit (some of us know them as Eskimos), gathered on the arctic tundra.
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