Our Need for Water

How much do we need?

On average you lose 10 cups of water a day, and only replace 4 cups of water from the food you eat.

We lose a minimum of 1 1/2 cups through breathing, 1 1/2 cups through the skin, 4 cups through the kidneys. This is the minimum. If you are active you will lose more.

In order to replace the water lost from the body, we need a minimum of 6 - 8 glasses per day. And that is 6 - 8 x 250ml (8 oz) glasses. However, this is only a guideline.

Add a cup if you exercise.

Add a cup if you live in a warm climate.

Add a cup if you drink more than 2 cups of coffee or alcohol a day, since these drinks act as diuretics.

Add a cup or two if you travel by air, or if you work in an air-conditioned office or home.

What does water do for our bodies?

Water plays an important part in virtually every bodily function.

It acts as a giant cooling system to regulate body temperature.

It carries oxygen and nutrients to all cells.

It helps convert food into energy.

It protects and cushions vital organs and joints.

It keeps the liver and kidneys functioning properly.

Water helps to metabolise fats

Water removes and detoxifies waste from our body system.

And that is by no means a complete list of the functions of water.

What effect does water have on health problems such as heart, cancer, etc.? Click here to find out.

Plants need water too! This photo was taken by the roadside out of Narembeen, Western Australia, and shows some of the wildflowers.