Water compromises approximately two thirds (between 60-70% of your body weight. That is 7st7lb of water in an 11 stone person.

All of our bodily functions and chemical reactions occur in aqueous solution.

Water is the prime importance for the regulation of body temperature.

Daily loses are relatively high, even under normal/moderate temperature and activity. The e body needs to replace its entire mass of water every 11-13 days.

Water is lost largely through urination as well as by evaporation in breath and sweat. The kidneys normally very carefully regulate the balance of water retained in the body, but excessive losses can result from vomiting, diarrhoea, vigorous exercise or high temperature,

It should be noted that even small losses of water 92-3 % of body weight) can seriously impair performance.

REQUIREMENTS

As a rule of thumb 1oz of water should be consumed per kilogram of body weight. For example a 70kg person should drink 3.5 pints of water or 8oz glasses per day. A good indication of healthy water intake is the colour of your urine, except first thing in the morning, it should be colourless or a pale yellow.

EXERCISE CONSIDERATION

Many sports people and regular exercisers fail to drink sufficient amounts of water. An interesting point to note is that for every gram of glycogen used, 3-4 grams of water is lost.

An hour before exercise aim to drink at least 2 cups/16oz of water.

During exercise take regular sips of water, 0r 4-8 oz every 15 minutes.