Water is necessary for life because it regulates body temperature, lubricates joints, maintains blood volume, flushes toxins from the body (through urine), and transports nutrients throughout the body. The average adult’s body is 55 to 60 percent water in infants and newborns, the amount is much higher. Dehydration is caused by a lack of water intake or excessive water loss (such as sweating), and it can be hazardous and even deadly.
Water Nutrition Facts
The USDA provides the nutrition information below for 1 cup (8 fluid ounces or 237g) of tap water.
- Calories: 0
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 9.5mg
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Carbs
Unless it has been flavored with juice, drinking water has no carbs, sugar, fiber, or starches.
Fat
Water contains no fat.
Protein
Water does not contain any protein.
Vitamins and Minerals
Depending on the source and whether or not it is filtered or distilled, some water includes minerals such as calcium, fluoride, iron, potassium, or salt. Some flavored or improved water products contain vitamins or electrolytes that have been added.
Health Benefits
Drinking enough of water every day will guarantee that you obtain adequate water for your body’s critical activities. Drinking water helps regulate body temperature and keeps you cool in hot weather. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Health and Medicine Division advises that adult women drink 91 ounces of water per day (2.7 liters or 11.5 cups) and men drink 125 ounces (3.7 liters or 15.5 cups). This covers all sources of water, including the beverages and meals you consume.
Allergies
Water allergy is extremely uncommon, although it is conceivable. Aquagenic urticaria is the medical term for this disease. It causes itching hives in those who have it when they drink or come into touch with water. Because water is plainly necessary for survival, therapy is required to control this problem.
Adverse Effects
It is conceivable to drink too much water, although it is uncommon under typical conditions. Drinking much too much water in a short period of time causes hyponatremia, often known as “water intoxication.” When this happens, the salt levels in your blood decrease dramatically, making you ill.
Hyponatremia is a life-threatening medical condition. Marathon runners and other endurance athletes who drink a lot of water without replenishing the salt they lose through perspiration might develop the illness.
Varieties
You may acquire drinking water from your faucet (tap water) or by purchasing bottled water. The Food and Drug Administration regulates bottled water, which must be as clean and safe as tap water. It can be carbonated (“sparkling”), distilled, purified, or filtered, and it can also contain minerals from subterranean sources. Some bottled waters contain additions like oxygen or protein.
Adding a few drops of flavour or a tiny packet of crystals does not change the taste of your water or add substantial calories. In fact, if you don’t enjoy the taste of plain water, adding a touch of flavoring might help you drink more of it.
Almost anything that has a fluid counted as water. Even dry meals, such as bread or crackers, contain some water. Some foods contain more water than others, such as soup and watermelon. According to the National Academies, approximately 20% of your water intake comes from the foods you eat (this increases if you eat a lot of fruits and vegetables), and approximately 80% comes directly from fluids such as water, milk, soft drinks, juice, and even caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea.
Be wary of beverages that are heavy in sugar and calories, as well as energy drinks that might contain a lot of caffeine.
Conclusion
In general, drinking tap water in the United States is very safe. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates it and tests it on a regular basis to ensure that it is free of germs and pollutants.
If you receive your drinking water from a private well, you should get it tested to ensure that it is safe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that well water be tested at least once a year. You can get help finding a licensed testing laboratory through your local health department or county government.
Bottled water may have a sell-by date, although it will typically keep for a long time. The taste may vary somewhat after a year, but the water is still safe to drink. If you bottle your own tap water, make sure you use a clean glass or plastic container and change it out every 6 months.
