How much area does water across the entire globe cover? What is the importance of consuming water? These are some of the questions that always cross my mind often. Approximately, 71 percent of the surface of the earth happens to be covered by water (Ruddiman, 2001). Nearly 96.5 percent of the entire earth’s water is found in the oceans (Ruddiman, 2001). As a result, water is a crucial element in every living organism across the world. In fact, humans can last several weeks without consuming food, but they will barely last a week without drinking water. Having served in the army made me understand the significance of water in depth. In the United States of America Armed Forces, drinking water is recognized as one of the biggest potable water planning factor. In fact, the department had been allocated 15 percent of the entire per capita water planning (Ruddiman, 2001). Through life experience both at home and while working for the army, I learned that maintaining hydration is crucial regardless of whether one is exercising or not.
First, drinking water assists the body with the balancing of body fluids. Water accounts for approximately 60 percent of the whole human body (St-Onge, Marie-Pierre & Gallagher, 2010). The purpose of these body fluids consists of digestion, circulation, maintaining constant body temperature, saliva creation, absorption and movement of nutrients within the body. According to Dr. Steven Gust, a Nephrologist and MD. Of Peritoneal Dialysis at the Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Santa Clara states that, through the assistance of the posterior pituitary gland, the brain send a message to the brain informing it of the amount of water to remove in form of urine or place it in reserves (St-Onge, Marie-Pierre & Gallagher, 2010). Personally, with basic survival skills learned while serving in the army, whenever my body is experiencing a shortage of fluid, my thirsty mechanism gets triggered which will result in me feeling thirsty (St-Onge, Marie-Pierre & Gallagher, 2010). However, for individuals who happen to be under medication, the same does not apply. Whenever I get the urge to take fluid, it is usually the best moment for me to get hold of water, juice, coffee or milk. I can make use of any liquid apart from alcohol. The reason behind my exclusion of alcohol from the category is because the chemical component present in alcohol influence negatively the communication between the kidney and the brain. Alcohol influence the brain to excrete more water than necessary, which may result in dehydration.
Second, drinking adequate water can assist individual control calories. According to a research study conducted at the University of Illinois at Urbana, it was discovered that an increase in the amount of water consumed indeed correlates with a decline of approximately 69 and 206 calories each day (Tate & Deborah, 2012). A kinesiology professor at the University of Illinois and head of the research team claims there are only two possible reasons through which individuals may be influenced to drink less amount of water. First, an individual might fell content with a stomach full of water to prevent them from consuming snacks (Tate & Deborah, 2012). Second, an individual can be compelled whenever there is need to substitute drinks. For instance, an individual might resolve to drink water rather than coffee or any drinks that contain excess sugar (Tate & Deborah, 2012). When my wife April gave birth to Anthony AJ. Due to female’s body anatomy, she experienced an excess increase in body weight. The body increased as a result of April experiencing a great appetite for snacks which she consumed periodically at intervals of 2 hours. Therefore, after giving birth to AJ, she desired to return to her normal body shape. Among the first measures, she had to take was to reduce the number of snacks she was consuming as she had developed it to a habit. The most efficient way she could be able to attain this was by making her stomach feel full by drinking a large quantity of water. In turn, the action duped the mind into believing that there was no need to eat any more snacks. Therefore, she used more energy than she was consuming making her body to decrease in size. This method made April experience a decline in body weight from one hundred and fifteen kilograms to sixty-eight kilograms.
Third, water plays a significant role in making individuals skin look young. According to a research conducted at Fukuoka University Institute for Physical Activity, the presence of extracellular water may lead to muscle atrophy when an individual is aging (Copeland, 2009). This is evident through my maternal grandfather Peter Nash who is a veteran, despite being age eighty-seven he has been able to look young and strong. Out of curiosity during my early times in the army, I opted to seek for tips on how to maintain one’s body in the extreme conditions similar to those experienced during mission deployment from Peter. Among his advice was “consume as much water as you need depending on the activity you are engaging in and the condition of the weather.” As a result, a bottle of water became part of my life which I continued to do even after I retired from the army. Additionally, I ensure that I have water bottles placed at a strategic location where AJ, April and I frequent such as the garden section, the dining, front yard and kitchen.
Lastly, Water assists the kidney with the process of removing toxic wastes substances from the body in form of waste product. Body fluids are tasked with the transportation of fluids in and out of the cells across the entire body (Tate & Deborah, 2012). The core toxic substance common within the body includes blood urea nitrogen and waste products which are a soluble waste and can go through the kidney, where they are re-directed to the vessel which excretes the waste products (Tate & Deborah, 2012). Therefore. If an individual consumes an adequate amount of water, they are able to provide the kidney with more clean water that facilitates the process of cleaning. This lead to significant decline in the amount of toxins within the body which pose a significant risk to the healthy human system.
Based on the above analysis, it is evident enough based on my blend of both professional and personal life about the importance of water. Not only is water necessary for normal body functioning but plays a great role in regulating body fluids. There are minimal chances that an individual will be able to start from drinking 700 milliliters of water to the recommended 200 milliliters for women or 2500 milliliters for men (Khazan, 2016). Therefore, individuals are advised to start the process with their usual quantity of water consumed and gradually increased it over time. In the event of a lack of a measuring cylinder, the best measuring method is the 8 x 8 rule which recommends the consumption of eight 8-ounce glasses of water (Khazan, 2016). This method is preffered since it is easy to recall. It is important to understand that even though one may be unable to feel the urge to finish the 2 liters of water recommended, other drinks we consume on a daily basis such as milk, juice, soup among others supplements for the remaining portion. April, AJ and I have developed a routine of reminding each other periodically about not forgetting to drink water. This makes it easy to stick to the routine amidst our busy schedule.
In conclusion, water is one of the most important elements in existence. This is evident with a large amount of water occupying the space on earth i.e 71 percent. Drinking water happens to be a low-cost, calories-free method by which human increase the level of water present in our system to prevent them from overeating. Personally, I have developed a habit of ensuring I carry water with me wherever I go. Having served in the army, I developed a great value for water since it one of the most critical element whenever any army goes for the mission. Considering the importance of water, it is astonishing that nobody claims ownership. However, human activities are greatly interfering with the eco-system, which is resulting in serious water shortage. Deforestation has been blamed for the increased water shortage. However, several measures are being implemented by significant authorities across the globe on curbing the issue since it could result in human extinction.
Works Cited
Copeland, Michelle. Change Your Looks, Change Your Life: Quick Fixes and Cosmetic Surgery Solutions for Looking Younger, Feeling Healthier, and Living Better. Zondervan, 2009.
Khazan, Olga. The Water Diet: Can you lose weight just by drinking more water?
10 March 2016. Document. 19 April 2018. .
Ruddiman, William F. Earth's climate: past and future. Macmillan, 2001.
St-Onge, Marie-Pierre, and Dympna Gallagher. "Body composition changes with aging: the cause or the result of alterations in metabolic rate and macronutrient oxidation?." Nutrition 26.2 (2010): 152-155.
Tate, Deborah F., et al. "Replacing caloric beverages with water or diet beverages for weight loss in adults: main results of the C hoose H ealthy O pt i ons C onsciously E veryday (CHOICE) randomized clinical trial–." The American journal of clinical nutrition 95.3 (2012): 555-563.
