Avoid the Soda: Water Consumption is Necessary for Your Body

Tuesday, September 14, 2010 by: Alice E. Marson
Tags: water, soda, health news

(NewsTarget) Consuming water is of the utmost necessity to our bodies. The average human body is 60-65 % water and the human brain tissue is 85 % water. In fact, water is most essential to the body - next to air. The body can survive four weeks without food but only three days without water. Not one of your body processes can take place without water. Soda pop is the cause of many health problems.

Water is essential for transportation of nutrients, hormones, toxins and waste products. Your daily energy depends on water and the lack of water is the number one trigger of daytime fatigue, since water is a cleanser, a healer and is necessary to maintain constant body temperature. Your body needs about three quarts of water per day under normal conditions---more under other circumstances. Foods provide 1 1/2 quarts of water and fruits and vegetables more than 90 per cent. Enough water is needed to keep skin soft and supple, your brain sharp, and your elimination system regular. Water is a diet aid, a fat reducer, and in addition, reduces sodium build-up.

Your body contains a variety of necessary fluids---about 42 quarts in all. They are: blood, bile, pancreatic juice, gastrointestinal, cerebrospinal and synovial fluids, urine, aqueous humor, and others. These fluids are dependent upon your intake of water and other liquids.

Some of the things adequate water can do for you: treat allergies, asthma, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, headaches, chronic fatigue, colitis, alcohol dependency and general pain. Eight to ten glasses of water a day can significantly ease back and joint pain.

Seventy-five percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated. Caffeine in coffee, tea, and colas acts as diuretic and results in water retention. A mere 2 % drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math and a focusing differential. Five glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, breast cancer by 79%, and bladder cancer by 50%.

With all the assumed water consumption today the average American still drinks an estimated 56 gallons of soda each year. In the past ten years soft drink usage among teenagers and children has almost doubled. The active ingredient in soda pop is phosphoric acid which interferes with absorption of calcium resulting in softening of the teeth and bones. Bones become weakened and are prone to fracture. Phosphoric acid also disrupts digestion by neutralizing the hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Sugar is an issue with soft drinks. A can of pop has about 10 teaspoons of sugar and 150 calories. Sugar increases insulin levels which can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, premature aging and many more negative side effects.Soft drink manufacturers are the largest single users of refined sugar in the U.S. Aspartame is the chemical sugar substitute in diet soda. There are over 92 different health side effects as a result of aspartame consumption. Some of these are: brain tumors, birth defects, diabetes, emotional disorders and epilepsy/seizures.

Another unhealthy component of soda is caffeine of which there is 30-55 mg per can. Caffeine can cause jitters, insomnia, high blood pressure, irregular heart beat, high blood cholesterol levels, vitamin and mineral depletion, breast lumps, birth defects and possibly some forms of cancer.In addition, soda pop contains food coloring and nitrites.

Nutritionally speaking, soda pop is the cause of many health problems. Drinking soda leaves you with little appetite for vegetables, protein and other foods your body needs.

You can be assured that water is your best bet!!!!

www.nutrition.about.com/odhydrationwater
www.associatedcontent.com/article124062
www.ezinearticles.com/The-Importance-of-Wate...

About the author

Alice E. Marson is a natural health published author and researcher. She is a retired teacher and writes for Mature Living and ActiveAmericans.com mainly on health topics.
As a breast cancer survivor she is a strong believer in natural and alternative medicine and avoiding prescription drugs.
Alice has given public and TV presentations on toxic products in the home.