Water is a highly important nutrient, and after oxygen, could be considered one of the most fundamental ingredients for life. There is a lot of controversy regarding how much water to drink, and recommendations are made to the public from health authorities. However, these recommendations are often ignorant of the fact that the water needs of an individual will depend on many factors that can never be fully incorporated into any programme and are therefore often wide of the mark for most individuals. Dehydration is a significant determinant of both mental and physical exertion levels, and dehydration of just 5 % can significantly impair cognition and physical performance. Drinking caffeine and other diuretics can cause dehydration to occur, particularly in warm weather, and care should therefore be taken to prevent excess diuresis if large amounts of tea or coffee are consumed. Some evidence suggests that low levels of chronic dehydration could be common in the general population of Western nations.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, protect Yourself
RdB
