WATER AS A TRANSPARENT FLUID IS A VITAL COMPONENT OF OUR DIETS, EVEN THOUGH IT’S NOT CONSIDERED A SPECIFIC NUTRIENT. THIS IS BECAUSE WATER MAKES UP 50 TO 70 PER CENT OF AN ADULT’S TOTAL BODY WEIGHT AND, WITHOUT REGULAR TOP-UPS, OUR BODY’S SURVIVAL TIME WOULD BE LIMITED TO A MATTER OF DAYS.

WATER IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE BODY’S GROWTH AND MAINTENANCE, AS IT’S INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF PROCESSES. FOR EXAMPLE, WATER HELPS GET RID OF WASTE AND REGULATES TEMPERATURE, AS WELL AS PROVIDE A MEDIUM FOR BIOLOGICAL REACTIONS TO OCCUR IN THE BODY.

YOU CAN JUDGE WHETHER YOU’RE DRINKING ENOUGH WATER BY THE COLOUR OF YOUR URINE. IF IT’S A PALE STRAW COLOUR THEN YOUR FLUID INTAKE IS PROBABLY FINE. IF YOUR URINE IS DARK YELLOW, YOU PROBABLY NEED TO DRINK MORE WATER.

I BELIEVE YOU KNOW THAT IT IS AN ALREADY KNOWN FACT THAT WATER IS LOST FROM THE BODY THROUGH URINE AND SWEAT, AND MUST THEREFORE BE REPLACED THROUGH THE RIGHT DIET AND TAKING PLENTY OF WATER.

IF YOU DON’T TAKE ENOUGH WATER, YOU CAN BECOME DEHYDRATED AND SYMPTOMS LIKE HEADACHES, TIREDNESS AND LOSS OF CONCENTRATION WILL SURELY SET IN. CHRONIC DEHYDRATION CAN EVEN CONTRIBUTE TO A NUMBER OF HEALTH PROBLEMS SUCH AS CONSTIPATION AND KIDNEY STONES  AMONGST OTHERS!

IT IS PERTINENT TO NOTE THAT THE BODY GETS ITS FLUID FROM  DRINKS, EITHER PLAIN WATER OR FROM OTHER BEVERAGES LIKE TEA, COFFEE AND SQUASH INCLUDING ASSORTED JUICES.

, SOLID FOODS, ESPECIALLY FRUIT AND VEGETABLES (EVEN FOODS SUCH AS BREAD AND CHEESE PROVIDE SMALL AMOUNTS OF FLUID).

MOST HEALTHY ADULTS NEED BETWEEN ONE AND A HALF TO THREE LITRES  OF WATER A DAY, SO AIM TO DRINK SIX TO EIGHT MEDIUM GLASSES OF FLUID DAILY.

BEVERAGES SUCH AS TEA, COFFEE AND FRUIT JUICES COUNT TOWARDS FLUID INTAKE, AND MAY BRING WITH THEM OTHER NUTRIENTS OR BENEFITS. YOU MAY REQUIRE MORE FLUID IF YOU’RE VERY PHYSICALLY ACTIVE OR EVEN DURING PERIODS OF HOT WEATHER.

HOW TO MAINTAIN FLUID LEVELS

• START YOUR DAY WITH A GLASS OF WATER.  WHEN YOU WAKE UP, SQUEEZE HALF LEMON/LIME INTO YOUR GLASS AND DRINK.

• FIND TIME TO MAKE YOURSELF REGULAR DRINKS DURING THE DAY – DON’T FORGET THAT TEA, COFFEE AND JUICES CAN COUNT.
• JUST WATCH OUT FOR THE AMOUNT OF SUGAR CONSUMED IN SOME SOFT DRINKS.
• KEEP A BOTTLE OF WATER IN YOUR BAG, AS IT’S A CONVENIENT WAY OF PROVIDING FLUID IF YOU’RE TRAVELLING OR EXERCISING.
• GET INTO THE HABIT OF HAVING A GLASS OF WATER WITH EVERY MEAL.
• THE SENSATION OF THIRST IS NOT TRIGGERED UNTIL YOU’RE ALREADY DEHYDRATED, SO IT’S IMPORTANT TO DRINK BEFORE YOU GET THIRSTY.
• INCREASE YOUR INTAKE OF FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES, AS THEY HAVE A HIGH WATER CONTENT.

In the Nigerian market today, there are various kinds of sachet water

bottled and dispenser waters are not left out too. The common ones are  

Nestle water

Cascade waters

  Ragolis water

Eva water

Gossy Water

There are many other brands in the market.  So enjoy the drinking of your water! Care must however  be taken in the choice of water to drink. Whether you like to  boil your water or you prefer sachets, bottled  or dispenser water, which ever you prefer,  take note of the following:

Good drinkable water is colourless, transparent and tasteless. Any water that has a peculiar odour or peculiar taste is not good for drinking! So watch out!