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Water … The Beverage of Life Jim Meyer University of Missouri Extension 573-985-3911 meyerje@missouri.edu. Body Composition. The average body weight is 55 to 75 percent water We each consist of 10 to 12 gallons of water. Breakdown of water in the body:. Lungs: 90% Blood: 82%
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Water … The Beverage of LifeJim MeyerUniversity of Missouri Extension 573-985-3911meyerje@missouri.edu
Body Composition • The average body weight is 55 to 75 percent water • We each consist of 10 to 12 gallons of water
Breakdown of water in the body: • Lungs: 90% • Blood: 82% • Muscle: 73% • Brain: 70% • Fat: 25% • Bones: 22%
Role of Water in the Body: • Regulates temperature of body • Carries nutrients and oxygen to cells • Removes Waste • Cushions and protects joints, organs and tissue
How Much Do we Need Daily: • 8 to 12 cups fluid per day • Varies with age, activity, environment, health status and diet
How much do we lose during physical activity? • Weigh before and after you work or do an activity • Each pound lost represents 2 cups of water • Depends on wind, sun and physical exertion
Aging and water intake • Aging results in: • Loss of thirst mechanism • Decline in kidney function
Dizziness Cramps Nausea Decreased performance Warning Signs of Dehydration • Thirst • Irritability • Headache • Weakness
Road to Dehydration 100% 75% 50% 25% DROP IN PERFORMANCE DANGER ZONE 2% 3% 4-6% >6% % OF DEHYDRATION
Chronic dehydration: • Reduced blood volume • Reduced blood flow to the heart and skin • Reduced sweating • Poorer heat tolerance
Preventing dehydration Drink fluids early and often regardless of thirst • Choose a re-hydrating fluid: • Water, juice, milk, soft drinks without caffeine • Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages are dehydrating
Quality vs. safety of water • Not based as a health problem but not pleasing for a number of reasons • Hardness • Taste • Odor • Color
Missouri Water Supply: • 63% get their water from surface water supplies • 37% get their water from ground water supplies • More than 1 million citizens are on private supplies
Bottled Water • Regulations have gone into effect to guarantee standards for bottled water quality (Food and Drug Administration, May 1996)