Dear, Water
I owe you an apology. I have treated you like an annoying drip for so many years and yet you have made my life better since the minute I started gently floating in my mother’s womb.
You’re the universal solvent and an extraordinary force of nature. Everything you encounter eventually bows to your might. And every living thing on earth is made up of mostly water. I mean you are literally a building block for life! In fact, you’re so important that the United Nations has declared having access to you as a human right.
Here in Canada, you’re practically free and literally on tap for most people. Why didn’t I ever appreciate you more? Why didn’t I drink you more??
I found out that you can:
Lubricate my joints. Cartilage, found in joints and the disks of the spine, contains around 80 percent water. Long-term dehydration can reduce the joints’ shock-absorbing ability, leading to joint pain.
Help deliver oxygen throughout my body. Blood is more than 90 percent water, and blood carries oxygen to different parts of the body.
Boost my skin health and beauty. With dehydration, the skin can become more vulnerable to skin disorders and premature wrinkling.
Cushion my brain, spinal cord, and other sensitive tissues. Dehydration can affect brain structure and function. It is also involved in the production of hormones and neurotransmitters. Prolonged dehydration can lead to problems with thinking and reasoning.
Help regulate my body temperature. Water that is stored in the middle layers of the skin comes to the skin’s surface as sweat when the body heats up. As it evaporates, it cools the body. Having a lot of water in the body may reduce physical strain if heat stress occurs during exercise. However, more research is needed into these effects.
Support the health of my digestive system, which depends on you. The bowel needs water to work properly. Dehydration can lead to digestive problems, constipation, and an overly acidic stomach. This increases the risk of heartburn and stomach ulcers.
Flush body waste. Water is needed in the processes of sweating and the removal of urine and feces.
Help maintain my blood pressure. A lack of water can cause blood to become thicker, increasing blood pressure.
Prevent kidney damage. The kidneys regulate fluid in the body. Insufficient water can lead to kidney stones and other problems.
Help me with weight loss. Water may also help with weight loss, if it is consumed instead of sweetened juices and sodas. “Preloading” with water before meals can help prevent overeating by creating a sense of fullness.
(This list was taken and edited from Medical News Today).
I know some people say you don’t taste good, and they don’t want to drink more of you. But c’mon. You don’t taste like anything at all. And on a hot, dry day you are the most welcome thing ever.
I know some people flavour you up with mint, cucumber slices, lemon or lime wedges or other fruits. Even coffee or tea can be hydrating because they’re full of …. YOU!
Water, we have to have you in our lives. How much water a person needs is mostly determined by their size.
Here’ the actual formula for determining how much water to have every day.
A person’s body weight in pounds divided by 2 = the number of ounces of water they should drink every day.
That means a 150 lb person should drink 75 ounces (2.1 liters) of water every day.
Water, I want you to know that I appreciate you. I will enjoy you, I will protect you, I will help others to get access to you. Most of all, I want to say thank you for all that you do for every living thing on this planet.
With love,
Colleen.
