Water is the most important ingredient for life. According to the evolution theory life first started in ocean waters billions of years ago. Our bodies are 70% water and there are 45 litres of water in the body; 30 litres shared amongst the cells, 12 litres in the tissue space between the cells and 3 litres in the blood plasma. The water in the cells plus their dissolved salts are the intracellular fluid while the tissue fluid and plasma constitute the extra cellular fluid. Water performs many functions in the body like carrying nutrients and oxygen to cells, helps in excretion of waste products, regulates body temperature, is involved in metabolism, breathing and many others. Recent research has shown that genes control physical expression and only part of our health. Cells also respond to their environment, not just to genetic programming. The fluid outside the cell is the immediate environment surrounding
every cell in the body.

Cells are not in direct communication with each other and communication between cell (nervous stimuli, metabolic, immunologic and vascular processes and so on) flows through this fluid between cells which needs to be in an ideal condition otherwise defective genes may become activated. We therefore need great water and balanced micronutrients to optimise our fluid in between cells. Of all the items in our diet, the daily intake of water is the
most important. Without it, we will be unable to maintain the water balance of the body which is as follows:

Most people are chronically dehydrated (shortage of water in the body) meaning they do not get to
drink about 2 litres of water every day. Fluids like tea, coffee and soft drinks do not count as water, and in fact are a cause of loss of water from the body, working like a diuretic; soft drinks use water from the body to process high level of sugar in the soft drink and you need to drink several glasses of water to correct the lost balance. A survey at Cornell University, New York indicated that 8 to 10 Glasses of water a day could reduce back and joint pains in up to 80% of sufferers, water also increases the metabolic rate of a body. Dr. Batmanghelidj, author of Your Body’s Many Cries For Water, says chronic shortage of water may be a factor in chronic diseases and solution and prevention of these diseases is increased water intake on a regular basis. Dr. Batmanghelidj shows there are three stages of water regulation in the body in different phases of life:
PHASE 1 – The stage of life of a foetus in the uterus of the mother.
PHASE 2 – Phase of growth (anabolic) until full height and width is achieved (approximately 18 -25 year of age).
PHASE 3 – The stage of life from complete adulthood to death (catabolic).
Because of a gradual failing of thirst sensation in the later decades, our body becomes chronically and increasingly dehydrated. This thus affects activity at the cellular levels. Remember that water, the solvent of the body regulates all functions, including the activities of the solutes it dissolves and circulates. Histamine and other transmitters like prostaglandins and kinins become active to promote water intake. This excessive activity can cause allergies, asthma and chronic pains in the body. Dyspeptic pain is the most important signal in the body denoting dehydration. It is important to recognize that hunger often masks the need for water intake as well. The human body is 70% water and your blood is 90% water, thus water is truly the source of life. Most of us have 5 litres of blood all of which pass through the heart every 3 minutes, the heart beats about 1,00,000 times per day moving about eight tons each day. Everything in our body responds to our blood and extra cellular fluid. Most people have a very acidic biological terrain, which sets in motion a destructive cycle of imbalance, weight gain and disease. This means excess acid robs the blood of oxygen and metabolism slows making food digestion slow. Hence, restoring hydration and alkaline terrain greatly improves the body functions

5 Advantages of Drinking Water in the Morning

1 – Balance your lymph system. These glands help you perform your daily functions, balance your body fluids, and fights infection.
2 – Helps with weight loss. Drinking at least 16 ounces of chilled water can boost your metabolism by 24% in the morning.
3 – Glowing skin. Water helps to purge toxins from the blood which helps your skin glow and makes it clear.
4 – Drinking water on an empty stomach purifies the colon, making it easier to absorb nutrients.
5 – Increases the production of new blood cells and muscle cells

You can see that not only is water extremely important but so is the amount you need each day to stay healthy. The recommendation about intake of water each day is as
follows:

• Drink every 2-3 hours and at least 2 litres in 24 hours.
• Drink throughout the day, don’t wait till you are thirsty or hungry.
• Drink an extra litre for each hour of exercise you may do.
• Drink extra in the hot summer months.