| Water: an essential but
overlooked nutrient. A paper by Kleiner SM
published Apr/99
Nutritional Sciences Program, University of
Washington, Seattle, USA
I quote:
| Water is an essential nutrient required
for life, To be well hydrated, the average sedentary adult man
must consume at least 2,900 ml (12 c) fluid per day, and the average
sedentary adult woman at least 2,200 ml (9 c) fluid per day, in the
form of non caffeinated, non alcoholic beverages, soups, and
foods. Solid foods contribute approximately 1,000 ml (4 c)
water, with an additional 250 ml (1 c) coming from the water of
oxidation. The nationwide Food Consumption Surveys indicate
that a portion of the population may be chronically mildly
dehydrated. Several factors may increase the likelihood of
chronic, mild dehydration, including a poor thirst mechanism,
dissatisfaction with the taste of water, common consumption or the
natural diuretics caffeine and alcohol, participation in exercise,
and environmental conditions. Dehydration of as little as 2%
loss of body weight results in impaired physiological and
performance responses. New research indicates that fluid
consumption in general and water consumption in particular can have
an effect on the risk of urinary stone disease, cancers of the
breast, colon, and urinary tract; childhood and adolescent obesity;
MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE; salivary gland function; and overall health
in the elderly. Dietitians should be encouraged to promote and
monitor fluid and water intake among all of their clients and
patients through education and to help them design a fluid intake
plan. The influence of chronic mild dehydration on health and
disease merits further research |
| end of quote. |
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