Usually about two and a half litres of water is needed each day for a reasonably sedentary adult to replace the total water loss that occurs through skin, lungs, faeces and urine, unless they are in an unusual environment.

Just under half of this should be in the form of drinks such as water or cold herbal teas and just under a litre from food. The remaining 300ml is created by the body from its own metabolic processes.

If you don’t drink enough water, this is what happens.

1. The pulse rate goes up and there is an increase in the rectal temperature

2. Respiration increases

3. Numbness and tingling are experienced in the extremities

4. Increase in blood concentration

5. Reduced blood volume and more difficult circulation of the blood

The difficulty and inadequacy of the circulation of blood under these conditions leads to:

1. breathing problems

2. gastro-intestinal upsets

3. nauseousness and loss of appetite

4. if it carries on for an extended period it will cause problems with muscle movement and unstable emotions

In an animal study, where water was restricted the animals were highly irritable and in some cases bad tempered.

Thirst

It has been demonstrated that under intense physical activity a male will only drink voluntarily around 50% as much water as what is required to replace losses from urine and sweat. Only after rest and food do the cravings for the required amount of water return to replace the fluid deficit.

Hot Drinks

Ingestion of hot drinks may cause internal body temperature to rise, which will result in sweating in order to cool the body down. Hot drinks are sometimes used in medical practice when it is desired either to temporarily increase body temperature of induce sweating. Therefore cold or cool drinks are preferred to hot drinks to replace fluid during the day, especially if the hot drinks are the only fluid daily intake.

Sugary drinks

During physical activities lasting less than 90 minutes, water is generally the beverage of choice, however, the inclusion of small concentrations of carbohydrate (6%-8% carbohydrate) have been shown to better sustain power output over water alone during physical activities that produce fatigue in 60 minutes or longer.

Not many of us know that the coffee benefits for one’s health, if you are having a cup of coffee everyday. It doesn’t matter if it is served hot or cold since it contains the same amount of caffeine when made at the cafe or produced at home.

Some of the coffee benefits that you should know

Many Americans are now overweight, that’s what some studies have pointed out. For those who are having this problem should be more careful with what they take. This is because the chances that they are suffering from Type 2 diabetes are higher. However, there are a few solutions to it, we know that if you exercise and follow a weight loss program, you can improve the problem. Another good news too, a study by researchers at Harvard also shows the coffee benefits of consuming more than 6 cups a day can actually lower the chances by more than 54%, so can reduce diabetes.

Another study done by Vanderbilt University has proven another coffee benefits where regular coffee drinkers especially men can prevent people from developing Parkinson’s disease by 80%. A such study made by the same school showed that consuming it can also reduce the chances of developing gallstones and liver problems.

Research has also proven that coffee comprises certain antioxidants that may be beneficial for the body. It can help people who are agitated by sending signals to the brain that will make them feel good just like eating a bar of chocolate, gum or ice cream.

Coffee is believed to help in making the drinker mentally alert, most of us already know this coffee benefits. More to coffee benefits are; if coffee is taken moderately, it is possible to stop a headache, make one feel good and even prevent cavities. There you go, it just goes to show that all of us have to do more than just brushing and flossing to take care of our teeth.

Though coffee has been found to be able to assist an athlete perform well in a certain sport, anyone who uses it since it believed to have the same qualities like those found in steroids, and if it has been proven through a urine test, the Olympic committee and other governing bodies will drop them.

For those who take in decaffeinated coffee, however, there is a word of warning. Studies have shown that decaffeinated coffee can increase the LDL, which is better known as bad cholesterol in the body. Therefore ask yourself, do you want to increase your LDL or just enjoy coffee benefits by sticking with the caffeinated version which is much safer for us who want to have a cup of coffee.

Other studies are presently being done to discover if coffee has other health benefits. Who knows? There may come a time that the plant itself can be useful in curing other diseases instead of getting it in its final product, which is either in brewed or bean form.

So at least we now know there are coffee benefits for health.