How much water do you drink a day? Do you realise just how important it is in helping your body to function to its full potential?

Symptoms of dehydration include fatigue, headaches, a dry mouth, hunger, decreased output, strong smelling and dark coloured urine, low blood pressure, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), reduced endurance, decreased strength and muscle cramps.

The human brain is composed of 95 per cent water; blood is 82 per cent water; the lungs are nearly 90 per cent water.

Water is also the single most critical nutrient for health, growth, and development.

It is not only the most important nutrient in the body, but also the most abundant.

Water is critical to the balance of all the body’s systems, including the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys and muscles.

The benefits of being hydrated are healthier skin, teeth, bones, joints, mind and body; reduced fatigue; help with weight loss; reduction of fluid retention; help building muscle; increased muscle tone and reduction of risk of disease.

Your body will not function at its best even if it’s just two per cent dehydrated.

Don’t wait until you’re thirsty before you take a drink. By that time you’re already dehydrated, which means the above symptoms will kick in.

I recommend an absolute minimum of two litres of water a day, ideally filtered. If you’re exercising or detoxing your body I recommend more. Drink at regular intervals for health purposes whether you are thirsty or not.

Please note, this does not include tea, coffee or soft drinks.

Caffeine is a diuretic, so you need to increase your water consumption if you’re drinking a lot of tea and coffee.

Always drink a decent amount of water in the morning on rising because sleep – especially in a dry and hot room – can rob your body of needed water. You can easily wake up in a dehydrated state after a long sleep under these conditions.

If you keep your body hydrated, you will have more energy, increased concentration and generally feel better. Give it a try, make sure you always have water to hand, be prepared.