12 Vital Functions Of Water In The Body

Vital Functions

Without water, there is no life. Water is the main component of the human body. Nearly 60% of the human body is composed of water. Water is the main solvent in the body. It uses a delivery mechanism, i.e. constantly flows in and out of cells. It dissolves essential nutrients and delivers them to cells. Likewise, it takes along toxins and wastes from the cells.

Water is also essential in maintaining personal hygiene. It is water that is employed in routine life to clean teeth, wash the body and parts of the body. It has some important role in the body; life could not sustain without water.

Why Is Water Vital To Life?

1. It Helps Create Saliva

Saliva is the main enzyme in the mouth, and water is the main component of it. It is necessary to take enough water that helps in making saliva. Saliva keeps the mouth moist and contains helpful enzymes and mucus.

These enzymes immediately work on food that enters into the mouth and helps in the breakdown of food. Saliva also helps to make food moist that can easily be swallowed. If the mouth feels dry, then a regular intake of water can help retain moisture.

2. Maintaining Body Temperature

Water is essential to maintain the temperature of the body. During a hot climate and conditions that can certainly increase body temperature, the body’s auto-regulation system operates, and it causes sweating.

Sweat helps the body in cooling down, and through this mechanism, regulates temperature to normal. It is essential to take enough water after heavy physical exertion.

3. Lubrication Of Joints And Organs

One of the important functions of water is to lubricate joints and reduce friction. Keeping joints flexible is essential, as too much friction in joints can cause inflammation and pain. Synovial fluid that lubricates joints is mostly water.

Water is very crucial for cushioning and lubricating sensitive organs in the body, such as the brain and spinal cord. With reduced water levels, the shock-absorbing abilities of joints and spinal disks decrease to a great extent.

4. It Helps In Excretion

Excretion is the process through which the body gets rid of waste materials. Urination and defecation help in the removal of wastes resulted from filtration and digestion. Water is used by the body in the excretion process.

Less intake of water can make urination and defecation problematic for the smooth functioning of the excretion system; ensuring enough water consumption is crucial. Perspiration helps the body in the cooling mechanism.

5. It Helps Prevent Constipation

Constipation is a condition of dry and hard stool that is painful to pass. Eating enough fiber is just not enough to avoid constipation having enough water in the body that supports smooth bowel movement is equally important. If a person experiences constipation, then consuming water more often can prove helpful.

6. It Aids In Digestion

Water is essential for healthy digestion. Drinking water before and during meals can help digestion. Water in food helps easy breakdown, and water also ensures smooth and easy bowel movement. Water softens the stool, thus preventing constipation. There is a wide variety in how water functions and aids in digestion.

7. It Helps Nutrient Absorption

As discussed earlier, water is the main solvent in the body. It helps to deliver essential nutrients and vitamins to all parts of the body. Nutrients, vitamins, and minerals get dissolved in water from food and are provided to individual cells throughout the body.

8. It Helps With Weight Loss

Water assists in losing some pounds in a number of ways. Taking in water more frequently can help to hold back appetite. Thirst may also stimulate a desire for food; drinking water more often can help overcome this issue and prevent overeating. Water also boosts metabolism, consequently helps in losing weight.

9. It Helps Remove Toxins

A regular intake of alcohol and drugs can cause toxins to pile up in the body. Toxins have an adverse effect on health and impair the overall functioning of the mind and body. For ensuring well-being, it is important to get rid of toxins. Water is an easy and simple way of body detoxification.

Stimulants addiction impairs proper brain functioning, and in order to get out of the harmful effects, water is just not enough. Heading out to treatment centers working to help get rid of such impactful drugs can prove a helpful option.

10. It Improves Blood Circulation

Taking In enough water can help in easy blood and oxygen circulation. When there is not enough water body stores energy by shrinking blood vessels and decreasing blood flow. Thus a regular intake of water helps the easy circulation of oxygen and blood with improved blood pressure and a decreased risk of heart ailments.

11.  It Helps Fight Illness

The deficiency of water in the body can lead to some consequent health conditions. In order to avoid such conditions, it is important to keep the body hydrated. Some of these include constipation, hypertension, kidney stones, and infections in the urinary tract. A simple home remedy for such issues is a regular and constant intake of water.

12.  It Helps Cognitive Functions

Research has associated dehydration with a negative impact on short-term memory, focus, and alertness. It proves the importance of water for healthy brain and cognitive functions. It is also helpful in managing a good mood. Lack of water can impair brain functioning and result in anxiety and confusion.

Conclusion

It is important to quench your thirst; feeling thirsty itself indicates that the body is not getting enough water. A regular and constant intake of water is crucial to a healthy body. Water helps the body in quite a broader spectrum; unable to give the body enough water can have serious consequences. There are some indicators that can help indicate hydration level, read the signs of the body, and get plenty of water for the smooth functioning of the body.