Water is the most vital nutrient necessary to maintain good health. It is also one of the most forgotten nutrients because it is not listed on most lists of required nutrients and it contains no calories. Water is essential for all functions in the body and comprises 65 to 75 percent of the body. The loss of water through perspiration is the body's way of cooling off. However, water lost through sweating increases the need for water. When not sweating, the body still loses water by meeting metabolic needs.

Your body has several different ways of telling you when it needs more water. Thirst is the first sign. However, thirst is a late signal. The body probably needed more water before you became thirsty. Continue to drink water even after your thirst is quenched to make sure your body gets enough. People who are physically active should not wait until they get thirsty to drink water. Exercise experts recommend drinking water while doing physical activity.

Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of fluid daily, generally ensures that your body is receiving enough water. When physically active and in hotter climates, more water is needed. Soft drinks are chosen by many people as a source of fluid. The average American drinks as many gallons of soft drinks yearly as water. However, soft drinks contain empty calories, artificial colorings, and flavorings, and has as many as 6 teaspoons of sugar in one 8 ounce drink. Some soft drinks contain an artificial sweetener called aspartame. This lowers the calories per serving but does not increase the nutritional value. Sweetened drinks also increase the body's need for water.

Drinking fluids during meals and throughout the day may also help avoid filling up on extra calories when trying to lose weight. However, drinking water instead of juices and soft drinks will help avoid getting extra calories. Soft drinks containing caffeine draw water from the body. Many contain sodium that causes the body to hold water. Both may contribute to dehydration. Alcohol also may cause fluid loss and add empty calories to the diet. Taking water throughout the day benefits people with respiratory and kidney diseases. Increased fluid intake helps thin mucous secretions that worsen asthma. Many women who experience recurrent urinary tract infections are encourage to drink more water to increase their urine flow.

Although drinking plenty of water daily is important, certain medical conditions may increase or restrict the need for water. Therefore, it is important to check with your health care provider to see if you have a medical condition that affects the amount of water you need daily.

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