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:
Blood:
Muscle:
Brain:
Fat:
Bones:
90%
82%
73%
70%
25%
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
Balancing Water in Our Body
Water Intake
Water Output
Drink: 1,000 milliliters
Perspiration: 500 milliliters
Food: 1,000 milliliters
Lungs: 500 milliliters
Metabolism: 350 milliliters
Urine: 1,300 milliliters
Total: 2,350 milliliters
Total 2,350 milliliters
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
Warning Signs
of Dehydration
Thirst
Irritability
Headache
Weakness




Dizziness
Cramps
Nausea
Decreased
performance
Road to Dehydration
100%
D
R
O
P
I
N
P
E
R
F
O
R
M
A
N
C
E
75%
50%
25%
DANGER ZONE
2%
3%
4-6%
% OF DEHYDRATION
>6%
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)
Fluid Replacement Winners
FLUID
Amount
Calories
CHOs
Sodium
1 cup
0
0%
0mg
$.97
Gatorade 1 cup
200
5%
110mg
$1.12
OJ
1 cup
240
10%
35mg
$.82
Coke
1 cup
250
9%
35mg
$.94
Choc Milk 1 cup
320
11%
150mg $.98
Energy
Drink
140
12%
60mg
Water
1 cup
$$$
$1.28
Conclusion