Water consumption and its relationship to health and disease is an overlooked fact. When we consider that our bodies are 75 percent water, our brains an estimated 85 percent water, and the plasma portion of our blood which makes up 55 percent of the blood is 90 percent water, it�s no wonder the impact sufficient amounts of water can play on our overall health and well being.

Water, which should be the drink of choice, is often passed over in favor of pop, tea, coffee and juice. All of the aforementioned drinks have their place but nothing takes the place of water. Water is absolutely essential to the effective functioning of all body systems. It is the presence of water that ensures that food is digested and absorbed into the blood stream. It is the presence of water that removes toxins from the tissues of the body and blood. It is also water that regulates all bodily functions.

It is estimated that 75 percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated. Dehydration is defined as a condition, resulting from excessive loss of body fluid, that occurs when fluid loss is greater than the fluid intake. A loss of two percent of the body�s ideal water content causes dehydration.

Through the skin, lungs, feces and urine, our bodies lose about 10-12 cups of water daily. If we exercise, perspire, drink caffeinated beverages or alcohol, the water loss is greater. We can readily see the need for water in a plant because of its droopiness or withering leaves. Yet, we mistake our own cravings for water as hunger. So we consume more food, only to compound the problem.

The recommendation for water intake is 6-8 glasses a day, which, according to the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad in the book "How To Eat To Live," is based on eating three meals a day. Symptoms of dehydration include: increased thirst, dry mouth, weakness, dizziness, heart palpitations, confusion, sluggishness, muscle cramps, nausea, decreased sweat and urine.

In conclusion, water is invaluable to our health, Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj writes in his book, titled, "Your Body�s Many Cries for Water." "Chronic and persistently increased dehydration is the root cause of almost all currently encountered major diseases of the human body," he writes, drawing a direct relationship with dehydration and asthma, hypertension, allergies, diabetes, back pain and headaches. He further states, "Chronic pains of the body are signals of chronic dehydration."

(Dr. Robert J. Muhammad can be contacted at: (708) 218-8957 or [email protected]).