Running head: IMPORTANCE OF WATER IN BODY

Importance of Water in Body

Name

Institutional Affiliation

1
 IMPORTANCE OF WATER IN BODY

Introduction

As biological organisms, humans need to intake nutrients in order to survive. For

example, carbohydrates and fat are necessary to supply the body with energy throughout the day,

protein is needed for cell growth and development, and various other micronutrients perform

vital functions in the body. These nutrients are found in the food that people partake in, and it is

necessary that the body meets its nutritional requirements in order to stay healthy.

Aside from these nutrients, the body also needs another important substance in order to

survive—water. It is not enough that a person satisfies his or her nutritional demands daily alone;

it is also essential that he or she fulfills the daily fluid needs that the body requires so that it will

stay healthy and hydrated. Water is very important to the body because it fulfills vital functions

such as stability of temperature, waste secretion, protection of vital organs, and maintenance of

2 internal homeostasis, among others. As with any other substance, water must be carefully

regulated in the body; too much or too little of it can cause complications in the long run. In

addition, many vital organs in the body, such as the heart, kidney, and skin are affected by how

much water the body has. A water can live for several days without water, but that is not

recommended because lack of water can cause a myriad of problems in the long run.

With that said, there is a need to look further on the functions of water in the body, as

well as the effects of too much or too little of it in the body.

Functions of Water

Water serves many different functions in the body. It is used in maintaining homeostasis,

protection of organs, secreting wastes, and overall maintenance of bodily functions, to name a
 IMPORTANCE OF WATER IN BODY

few. After all, the cells in the body are majorly composed of water, so it makes sense that the

body needs it to survive.

Water and Homeostasis

Water is very important for homeostasis, or the ability of the body to maintain an internal

balance regardless of outside circumstances. Included in homeostasis is the temperature of the

body. Without water, the body would severely diminish to control the body temperature,

resulting in overheating which is detrimental to bodily organs. Water serves as a cooling agent

for the body so that it more or less remains at a constant temperature. This is the reason why

people with fever are encouraged to drink more water in order to lower the temperature.

There are many ways in which water can cool the body. For one, it is expelled from the

water through the form of sweat, which helps to control the body temperature. The evaporation
3
of the sweat from the skin can also help in cooling the body as well. Drinking fluids in order to

cool the body may also be associated with the cooling mechanism as well (Popkin, D’Anci, &

Rosenberg, 2010).

Water is also needed by the cells in order to maintain osmotic balance. The cells of the

body need a certain balance of water and electrolytes in order to function normally. Thirst, the

sensation of needing water, actually comes from the cells of the body signaling that there is a

deficiency in the water balance and thus it needs more to regulate it (Danziger & Zeidel, 2014).

Water and Waste Management

Water is also used to expel unwanted substances from the body as well. The

aforementioned perspiration process, aside from cooling the body, also plays a part in getting rid

of excess salt in the body so that the osmotic balance in the cells is more or less obtained. Water
 IMPORTANCE OF WATER IN BODY

also aids the kidneys filter the waste in the bloodstream. In addition, it allows in bladder control;

water in the body dilutes the urea and other toxins in urine so more of them can be expelled

(Negoianu & Goldfarb, 2008). Water also helps in bowel movement. Water makes the stool

loose, so it can be easier to be flushed out of the body. However, contrary to popular belief,

increasing fluid intake will not result in increased stool output; rather, it increases the urine

output (Chung, Parekh, & Sellin, 1999).

Water and Organ Protection

Water is also needed by the organs of the body in order to function effectively. Organs

such as the heart, brain, stomach, liver and others depend on water to maintain a state of

homeostasis. Water is also essential in an efficient blood and nutrient transportation throughout

the body as well. Water also encircles some of the important organs in our body such as the

4 heart, brain, and spinal cord, thus they provide a cushioning effect to protect them from injuries.

The skin also needs water in order to stay supple, soft, and hydrated. Water is also used as a

lubricating agent in our body—it is essential for production of saliva, which helps in smoothing

out food particles, it is found in joints and cartilages so that they maintain maximum mobility,

they are found in mucus in our respiratory organs in order to filter out and smoothen air

passageway, and they are needed in secretion of sexual fluids in the reproductive tract of both

males and females (Jequier & Constant, 2010).

Effects of Too Much or Too Little Water in the Body

Because of all the functions of water in the body, it is tautological to say that is

indispensable to bodily functions. Hence, the body would be drastically affected if the amount of

water in the body is not regulated. Too little water can cause dehydration, which can lead to
 IMPORTANCE OF WATER IN BODY

serious side effects. However, too much water does not also mean a good thing, as it could cause

potential problems as well.

Effects of Dehydration

Dehydration is a state in which the organism receives less water than what is needed.

There are many effects of dehydration in the body, such as increased blood pressure, blood

cholesterol, feeling of puffiness and bloat due to water retention, among others. In more severe

cases, it can also lead to obesity, heart problems, and other serious problems along the way.

There are two types of dehydration: mild dehydration and severe dehydration. Mild

dehydration is commonly experienced by a significant number of the population, and is caused

by the water level in the body less than required but still at manageable levels. This type of

dehydration can have effects such as loss of body mass, reduced attention, concentration, and
5
alertness, lethargic feelings and symptoms of headache. In addition, athletes who experience

mild dehydration can notice a slight decrease in their athletic performance (Maughan, 2003).

Severe dehydration is much worse than mild dehydration because it means that the body

is not getting enough water to perform its basic functions, and thus it suffers as a result. Severe

dehydration occurs more frequently among older people because their bodies processes their

need for water much slower than usual and their renal activities are greatly diminished. Severe

dehydration can cause problems in the kidney, cardiovascular system, and in the most extreme of

cases, death (Bryant, 2000).

Therefore, it is recommended that one recognizes the signs of dehydration before it is too

late. Thirst, dry mouth, a feeling of bloat and the likes are signs that the body is in need of more

water, and thus must be addressed immediately. In addition, it is recommended that people
 IMPORTANCE OF WATER IN BODY

should drink an ample amount of water to replace the fluids lost in their activities, particularly so

if their work involves a heavy amount of activity (Maughan).

Effects of Over Hydration

Too much water can be bad for the health, too. When too much water is consumed after

exercise, it may result in a condition called exercise-associated hyponatremia, wherein the brain

cells swell which can lead to unconsciousness or in some cases, death. In a similar vein, drinking

too much water can cause water intoxication which can diminish some basic processes in the

body (Whitfield, 2006).

It is recommended by experts to drink around 1.5 liters of water per day for an average

adult, more so if the person is an athlete or gets involved in a lot of physical activity. In addition,

they recommend to drink water only if there is a feeling of thirst; otherwise over-hydration and
6
water intoxication may occur. As with any other substance, there is a need for regulation over the

amount of water consumed by a human being in order to stay healthy (Jequier & Constant).

Conclusion

Humans, as biological organisms, need nutrients and water to keep their body healthy and

fit. Water is essential in many body processes and functions, such as maintenance of homeostasis

and body temperature, management and removal of waste, protection and processing of certain

bodily organs, blood and fluid circulation, among others. Many organs in our body depend on

water in order to function, such as the brain, the digestive tract, the respiratory system, the

cardiovascular tract, the skin, and our reproductive organs, and the like.

There are effects of too much or too little water. Too little water can cause dehydration.

When dehydration is mild, it can cause problems like issues in concentration, attention, and
 IMPORTANCE OF WATER IN BODY

alertness, and symptoms of tiredness and fatigue. The performance of a person is also affected by

mild dehydration as well. Severe dehydration can cause cardiac and renal problems in the long

run. On the other hand, over hydration can cause feelings of bloat and uneasiness in the person.

In athletes, drinking too much water can cause the brain cells to cell, causing the person to

become unconscious.

It is recommended that people drink just the right amount of water each day—1.5 liters is

recommended for adults, and even more than that for athletes and other people who exert

physical effort at a much greater rate.

All in all, it can be said that water is an indispensable tool for the human body’s

continued survival. It is important to note the effects of water in the body so as to take care of it

more effectively.

7
 IMPORTANCE OF WATER IN BODY

References

Bryant, H. (2000). Dehydration in older people: Assessment and management. Emergency Nurse

15, 22 – 26. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7748/en2007.07.15.4.22.c4247

Chung, B.D., Parekh. U., & Sellin, J.H. (1999). Effect of increased fluid intake on stool output in

normal healthy volunteers. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 28(1), 29 – 32. Retrieved

from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9916661

Danziger, J., & Zeidel, M.L. (2015). Osmotic homeostasis. Clinical Journal of the American

Society of Nephrology 10(5), 852 – 862. doi: 10.2215/CJN.10741013

Jequier, E. & Constant, F. (2010). Water as an essential nutrient: The psychological basis of

hydration. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 64(2), 115 – 123. doi:

10.1038/ejcn.2009.111.
8

Maughan, R.J. (2003). Impact of mild dehydration on wellness and on exercise performance.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 57. 219 – 213. Retrieved from

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14681709

Negoianu, D., & Goldfarb, S. (2008). Just add water. Journal of the American Society of

Nephrology 19(6), 1041 – 1043. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2008030274

Popkin, B.M., D’Anki, R.E., & Rosenberg, I.H. (2010). Water, hydration, and health. Nutrition

Reviews 68(8), 439 -458.doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2010.00304.x.

Whitfield, A. N. (2006). Too much of a good thing?: The danger of water intoxication in

endurance sports. British Journal of General Practice 56(528), 542 – 545. Retrieved from

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1872071/