Benefits of hidratation
Hydration fulfils a variety of functions in the body
Benefits of hydration
1
It helps facilitate the transport of nutrients to cells.
2
It is a medium where metabolic reactions take place in cells.
3
It assists in absorption, digestion and waste elimination processes.
4
It provides lubrication to structures and tissues.
5
It assists in the regulation of body temperature.
6
It contributes to reducing dehydration episodes and the risk of alterations in cognitive function.
7
It helps prevent chronic diseases caused by minor dehydration episodes.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Hydration needs increase due to the physiological changes that take place. Good hydration helps prevent common pregnancy complications: urinary infections, kidney stone formation, dehydration caused by vomiting... And, water is part of the composition of breast milk and contributes to the quality and quantity of the milk (90% is water).
From birth to age 18
Drinking water and milk as essential beverages is recommended in childhood and adolescence. Its main benefits are: it is calorie-free, it contributes to preventing weight-gain and obesity, and it favours proper kidney function.
Children are more susceptible to and more severely affected by dehydration than adults, because children are less able to express the sensation of thirst. In this stage of life, special care with hydration is required.
A child's body retains more fluid, and because of all this, children are more susceptible to and more severely affected by dehydration than adults.
Hydration in the elderly
The total amount of water in the body decreases as people age. And so the hydration needs of elderly persons are greater.
Hydration in food
It's very important to stay hydrated and to include water in our daily diet; we should remember that water intake in the body from drinking is not always sufficient, so we also have to ensure this through food to stay well hydrated.
Increased physical activity
Sweat is made up of water and a variety of electrolytes that must be replaced after exercise. If this process is insufficient, the result is a deficit of body water.
In these situations, drinking water fulfils a key function in fluid replacement.
Hydration and the kidneys
The function of the kidneys is to eliminate toxins and waste products through urine, and to maintain the electrolyte balance between ingested and excreted water. Likewise, urine requires a particular osmolarity (particles that exert osmotic pressure, such as electrolytes, glucose and urea) in proportion to the amount ingested and for which there are also established minimum and maximum concentration limits (50-140 mosm/L)