Life-Giving Water!

We all want healthy bodies, and we do all kinds of things — good things — to keep them healthy. Some people spend a fortune (almost!) on fitness, in order to keep as healthy as possible. That is good. But so often we overlook the one thing that is essential for life — essential for fitness, essential for good health — WATER.

That is it. Plain water! Lots of it. How much? Well, your body will make use of over 11,000 litres of water every day. But, don't panic yet — your body is very efficient at recycling!

Your body is made up of 70% water. We can survive approximately 40 days without food, but only a few days without water.

Next to oxygen, water is the most important nutrient for living.

Your blood is 85% water.

Your brain cells are 73% water

Your muscles are also 73% water. Fatigue is sometimes caused by the muscles lacking water.

Your bones are 22% water.

Your saliva uses 1.2 litres of water each day.

Your kidneys and liver use just over 9 litres of water each day.

Your skin has 2 1/2 million sweat glands. Skin needs water to keep it moist.

Your lungs have a surface area of about 70 square metres — half the size of a tennis court. This area bathes with fluid, without which we could not breath.

When you feel thirsty, you are already suffering from slight dehydration. It only takes a loss of 1 or 2% of your body's total water content to cause dehydration.

A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short term memory, trouble with basic maths, and difficulty focusing on a computer screen or printed page.

Click here to find out how much water our bodies need.

The photo on this page was taken in Dale Gorge, Western Australia, and shows the river at the base of the Fortesque Falls.