Water is the single most important nutrient in the body. It is a molecule composed of a negatively charged oxygen atom and a positively charged hydrogen atom. This unique polarity makes it a universal solvent, allowing for it to interact with other partially or fully charged substances. Water is the basis for blood pressure, body temperature regulation, digestive juices, sweat, urine and synovial fluids within joints. The body is composed of 60 to 70 percent water, dependent upon the ratio of skeletal muscle to adipose--fat--tissue.
Insufficient water intake promotes dehydration. A primary concern or result of dehydration is an increase in core body temperature. In hot environments or during periods of increased activity, such as exercise, water slows the rise in body temperature. In an attempt to maintain the core temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, water is moved to the skin to cool the body via sweat. This response is a primary survival mechanism of the body and will be executed, even to the detriment of other constituents of the body.
Skeletal muscle is approximately 70 to 80 percent water. Knowing percentages of water in bodily tissues provides a snapshot of how integral it is in any particular tissue, thus illustrating the significance of water depletion. Dehydration reduces skeletal muscles' ability to contract efficiently. Cramping and even muscle rigidity are possible consequences of dehydration. Likewise, blood plasma is roughly 50 percent water. Lack of water reduces the blood volume. A reduction in blood volume raises the heart rate and increases blood pressure. Hypertension, a result of an elevated blood pressure, compromises the integrity of blood vessels, thereby increasing risk of heart problems. A reduction in blood volume also hampers nutrient transport throughout the body. Necrosis, or tissue death, is imminent in vital organs throughout the body without sufficient transport of nutrients due to lack of water in the body.
References
- "Sports and Fitness Nutrition"; Robert Wildman and Barry Miller; 2004
- Journal of Applied Physiology ; "Dehydration and Muscular Work"; E.N. Craig and E.G. Cummings; 1966; 21:670-674
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