Most of us recognize the need for water on hot summer days, but water is essential in every season, especially winter! We often relate sweating to hot weather, but winter activities can produce perspiration as well.

The body loses water continually through sweat, urine and exhaled air. Exertion in cold temperatures, like shoveling snow, can accelerate fluid loss. Replenishing liquids is essential during winter colds or flu with fever, diarrhea or vomiting. Certain medications can also cause dehydration. People with liver disease often find that drinking lots of water improves some of the drug's negative side effects. Sufficient hydration improves the performance and health of our organs. When a person lacks adequate water, the kidneys cannot function properly and the liver has to work harder to compensate.

WATER WORLD

The human body is comprised of 70% water, making it the most abundant and vital substance in keeping our parts working properly. A person can survive several weeks without food, but can only live a few days without water. Most adults need six to eight glasses of water daily. A simple formula to calculate your requirement is to divide your body weight in half. That is, if you weigh 160 pounds, you should drink 80 ounces of water every day. Drink whether or not you feel thirsty because feeling thirsty means you are already dehydrated. Thirst is often confused with hunger, so try drinking a glass of healthy water before reaching for the candy bar!

We need proper hydration to:

• Regulate body temperature
• Transport oxygen to cells
• Absorb and distribute nutrients
• Remove body waste
• Protect and lubricate joints
• Moisturize our skin
• Metabolize fat through liver functions