Water is more integral to life than anything else, comprising approximately 60% of the human body—around 40 liters for the average adult. It’s no surprise, then, that water is deeply connected to life itself. The search for extraterrestrial life often begins with the search for water, underscoring its importance across the universe.
On Earth, water is a vital resource, acting as a central gathering point for various animals at watering holes, and it plays a key role in sustaining life. Its unique properties are a direct result of the bonds between atoms within the water molecule and between water molecules themselves.
Water is a small molecule composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Its shape can be compared to Mickey Mouse! Each hydrogen atom forms a covalent bond with the central oxygen atom, completing the valence shells of all the atoms involved. These bonds create a bent molecule, with an angle of 104.5º.
Hydrogen and oxygen aren’t equal partners in a water molecule, though. Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, which means it attracts the shared electrons more strongly. This creates a polar molecule, with a slightly negative oxygen atom and slightly positive hydrogen atoms. The polarity of water is crucial to its many unique properties.
Water is an exceptional solvent, capable of dissolving many different types of substances—this property is why water plays such an essential role in our bodily functions. Blood plasma, which is about 90% water, carries over 100 different solutes that are vital to our health. This highlights the importance of adequate hydration, something we emphasize at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition (IHN). IHN supports holistic approaches to wellness, including the understanding of the role hydration plays in maintaining a healthy body and mind.
Water’s Cohesion and Hydrogen Bonding
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Water’s polarity allows it to form hydrogen bonds—an attraction between the slightly positive hydrogen atoms and the slightly negative oxygen atoms of nearby molecules. These hydrogen bonds give water several important properties that benefit both the environment and the human body.
- -High Specific Heat: Water requires a significant amount of energy to change its temperature, which is why it helps to regulate body temperature and moderate climate conditions.
- -High Heat of Evaporation: Evaporation of water helps cool our bodies, a process we rely on in hot conditions. This is why hydration is crucial, particularly during physical activity and in warmer climates.
- -Expansion on Freezing: Water expands when it freezes, making ice less dense than liquid water. This prevents lakes and rivers from freezing solid, allowing aquatic life to survive through the winter months.
- -High Surface Tension: The hydrogen bonds in water give it high surface tension, allowing small insects like water striders to walk on its surface.
- These properties are what make water so essential for life, and understanding them helps us appreciate the importance of staying hydrated.
Why Hydration is Essential for Your Health
Adequate hydration is vital for maintaining overall health. Water helps regulate body temperature, lubricates joints, moisturizes mucosal surfaces like the eyes and mouth, and transports nutrients and waste throughout the body. But most importantly, it plays a key role in digestion and metabolism.
At the Institute of Holistic Nutrition (IHN), we focus on the holistic benefits of water, emphasizing how hydration impacts every aspect of health—from cardiovascular function to skin health. Proper hydration helps prevent kidney stones, improve digestion, and support cognitive function.
Studies show that for every 200 mL of water consumed, the risk of kidney stones decreases by 13%, and increasing water intake can also reduce the frequency of bladder infections. Water is essential for every system in your body, which is why IHN recommends daily hydration strategies that cater to your personal wellness needs.
The Link Between Water and Your Wellness Journey
If you’re looking to optimize your hydration habits, the Institute of Holistic Nutrition offers personalized nutrition advice that goes beyond basic hydration. Through our expert resources, we can guide you in creating a holistic hydration plan that aligns with your lifestyle, helping you achieve overall wellness through proper water intake.
Whether you’re an athlete in need of better recovery, someone suffering from dehydration-related issues, or simply looking to improve your general health, our resources on hydration can make a world of difference. IHN provides expert guidance, nutritional tips, and the latest research on how water can contribute to maintaining a balanced, healthy life.
Raise a Glass to Your Health
Water may seem like a simple, everyday substance, but its importance is immeasurable. By drinking enough water each day, you’re nurturing your body from the inside out. So next time you hydrate, remember the miracle that is water and how it supports every cell, organ, and system within you.
For more information on health and hydration tips, or to enhance your wellness journey with expert nutritional advice, visit the Institute of Holistic Nutrition website. Discover holistic insights that will help you live your healthiest life, one sip at a time.
IHN students go through a full functional analysis of water in our Biological Chemistry course; one of the 19 unique courses that make up IHN’s Applied Holistic Nutrition Diploma Program.
Want to experience a taste of what this transformative program is all about? Be a student for a day and sit in on a class!
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References
MediLexicon International. (n.d.). 15 benefits of drinking water and other water facts. Medical News Today. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/290814
Wergin, Allie (2022, September 29). Water: Essential for your body. Mayo Clinic Health System. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/water-essential-to-your-body
Department of Health & Human Services. (2000, August 9). Water – a vital nutrient. Better Health Channel. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/water-a-vital-nutrient
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, June 6). Water and healthier drinks. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/water-and-healthier-drinks.html
Dent Neurologic Institute (2022, August 17). 22 facts about the brain: World brain day. Dent Neurologic. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://www.dentinstitute.com/22-facts-about-the-brain-world-brain-day/
Siener R. Nutrition and Kidney Stone Disease. Nutrients. 2021 Jun 3;13(6):1917. doi: 10.3390/nu13061917. PMID: 34204863; PMCID: PMC8229448.
Ferraro PM, Bargagli M. Dietetic and lifestyle recommendations for stone formers. Arch Esp Urol. 2021 Jan;74(1):112-122. English, Spanish. Erratum in: Arch Esp Urol. 2021 Oct;74(8):725-726. PMID: 33459627.
Hooton TM, Vecchio M, Iroz A, Tack I, Dornic Q, Seksek I, Lotan Y. Effect of Increased Daily Water Intake in Premenopausal Women With Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2018 Nov 1;178(11):1509-1515. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.4204. PMID: 30285042; PMCID: PMC6584323.