Water

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Water The Liquid of Life
2
More than half of the weight of the human body is
water!

• WHY?

3
Water in the Human Body

• Transports nutrients and wastes
• Helps joints move smoothly
• Aids in digestion
• Helps control body temperature
• Helps build hormones and enzymes that regulate
  the body
• Assists in removing wastes
• Protects internal organs

4
Transportation

• Our blood is . . .
• The bodys main transportation system
• 83 water
• Blood carries . . .
• Nutrients Hormones
• Enzymes Oxygen
• Waste
• Other materials

5
Lubrication

• Water lubricates . . .
• Joints
• Organs
• Fluids between internal organs
• This helps . . .
• Reduce friction within the body
• Ease movement

6
Digestion

• Water helps . . .
• Break down certain foods
• Move foods through
• the digestive tract

7
Temperature Control

• Water . . .
• Changes temperature slowly
• Stores heat
• Cools the body through perspiration

8
Synthetic Reactions

• Water aids in . . .
• Digestion of protein and carbohydrates
• Building hormones
• and enzymes

9
Waste Removal

• Water helps . . .
• Transport wastes through kidneys and intestines
• Remove waste through our skin and the air we
  exhale

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Reaching a Balance

• Adults typically need 6 to 8 cups of water or
  fluid each day
• Amount depends upon
• Body size
• Level of physical activity
• Age
• Overall health
• Climate

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Water Sources

• Beverages we drink
• Water, fruit juices, milk,
• and decaffeinated beverages
• are good choices
• Beverages containing caffeine
• or alcohol can cause fluid loss
• Coffee
• Tea
• Soft drinks
• Energy drinks

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Water Sources

• Foods we eat
• Fruits and vegetables are
• good sources of water
• Meat, fish and chicken also provide water
• Grain products offer a minimal amount of water
• Fats contain the least amount of water

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Dehydration

• Loss of water can cause
• Dehydration
• Heat exhaustion
• Heat stroke

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Signs of Dehydration

• Thirst
• Dry lips and mouth
• A small amount of saliva
• A small amount of urine
• Dark yellow urine
• Dont wait until youre thirsty to take a drink!

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Signs of Dehydration

• These are warning signs that need medical
  attention right away
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• High fever
• Weakness

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Drink water throughout the day and with meals.

• Drink more water if you are
• Pregnant
• Breastfeeding
• Working in hot weather
• Exercising

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When working or playing in the heat

• Drink 2-3 glasses of water 1-2 hoursbefore going
  outside
• Take water breaks every 15 minutes.
• Try to schedule most of the activity during the
  cooler parts of the day
• Offer children and older adults waterthroughout
  the day

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Our Water Supplies

• Tap water from
• Public water systems
• Private water supplies
• Bottled water

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Public Water Systems

• Tap water is often fortified with fluoride, a
  mineral that helps protect teeth and bones

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Bottled Water

• Seldom fortified with fluoride
• Regulated through the
• Food Drug Administration
• Regulations impact quality, processing and
  labeling

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Private Water Systems

• Include wells, springs, cisterns
• Are impacted by few regulations
• Water users are responsible forthe quality of
  their water
• Testing at least oncea year is recommended

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Water Wellness

• Each of us can protect our water supplies.
  Follow these tips
• Handle chemicals and
• cleaning products
• with care
• Keep your automobile in good working condition

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Water Wellness

• Tips (contd.)
• Use fertilizers and
• pesticides wisely
• Limit soil erosion
• Always conserve water

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Water -
We depend upon it for health, and it depends upon
us!!
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References University of Kentucky
Extension The Wildcat Way to Wellness
curriculum University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Extension publication, Water is a Nutrient,
Too

• Prepared by Jackie R. Walters, MBA, RD, LD
• University of Kentucky
• Extension Associate for Nutrition Education
  Programs
• May 2006
• Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative
  Extension serve all people regardless of race,
  color, age, sex, religion, disability, or
  national origin.