Water is the largest single component of the human body – the average man contains about 45 litres of water. Water is essential to every bodily function and without it we would die in two or three days. During the winter the weather in the UAE is extremely pleasant. Cool weather frequently poses the question of whether we still need to drink a lot of water, especially since we do not really feel thirsty. In reality, it is as important to drink adequate amounts of water in winter as it is in summer. To stay alive, we all need a regular intake of both food and water but of the two we need water more regularly.

The body has stores of fats and carbohydrates which can be drawn on if food is short and a person can survive for remarkably long periods without eating. But the body has no method of storing water and without it death occurs in about three days since water is absolutely vital for all major bodily functions.

The average adult body is 55 to 75% water. 2/3rd of your body weight is water. A human embryo is more than 80% water. A newborn baby is 74% water. So it is evident that the water you drink is literally you! Water aids a number of body functions like absorption of food, digestion, regulation of body temperature, carrying nutrients and oxygen to the cells, removing toxins and other wastes—to name a few. Conversely, our body responds to water deficiency in a variety of ways that we frequently see as illnesses. This lack of water, referred to commonly as dehydration, can lead to many ailments such as constipation, headaches, urinary tract infection and stone formation. Every process in our body thus occurs through a medium of water.

Adults loose nearly 12 cups of water everyday. We lose ½ to 1 cup of water a day from the soles of our feet, another 2-4 cups from breathing, 2 cups from perspiration and another 6 cups in urine. This could be much more for people who exercise and those whose jobs require physical exertion.

The body does not have any kind of reserve system. Hence, when the body is dehydrated, it operates a priority distribution system for the amount that has been made available by intake. The body's signals of dehydration are frequently joint pain, stomach pain and ulcers, back pain, low energy, mental confusion and disorientation.

Water lubricates our joints during movement and when the cartilage is hydrated, the two opposing surfaces glide freely & friction damage is minimal. Rheumatoid joint pain frequently decreases with increased water intake and flexing exercises that help bring more circulation to the joints.. Back pain is frequently alleviated with hydration.

Brain tissue is 85% water. Although the brain is only 1/50th of the body weight, it gets 1/20th of the blood supply. With dehydration, the level of energy generation in the brain is increased. Depression and chronic fatigue syndrome and migraines are frequently results of dehydration.

There is a difference between drinking pure water and beverages that contain water. Fruit juice, soft drinks, coffee etc may contain substances that are not healthy and actually contradict some of the positive effects of the added water. Caffeinated beverages stimulate the adrenal glands. Fruit juices contain a lot of sugar and stimulate the pancreas. Soda contains sodium. These drinks may tax the body more than they cleanse it. Drinking other beverages to the exclusion of water also cause you to loose your taste for water!

Water is fat free, cholesterol free, low in sodium, - nil calories. Drinking more water also helps to reduce water retention by stimulating your kidneys. The daily requirement of water for the body is 8 glasses. Studies have recommended that if you are overweight you should add one glass of water to your daily requirement for every 25 pounds over your recommended weight.

The more you exercise the more water you need. Spread out your water intake throughout the day. Do not drink more than four glasses within any given hour. After a few weeks your bladder calms down and you will urinate less frequently, but in larger amounts. You also feel well and healthy when you drink sufficient water as it is the elixir of life !