Water – The 4th Macronutrient

Did you know that water is the most important nutrient for our bodies? Humans need to drink water in order to survive. It is involved in every single one of the body’s functions. Your blood needs water so it can carry oxygen to all of the cells in the body. We also need water to digest our food and get rid of waste, too.

70% of our body is made up of water, and water is essential for life. It is lost not only through perspiration and urination, but also through respiration. Therefore, water must be replaced to maintain maximum hydration. Without a doubt, water is the most important macronutrient.

What are macronutrients?

Macronutrients are nutritional needs that the body must have in order to survive. Normally, they include carbohydrates, proteins, fats and water. Macronutrients provide the body with energy. Energy is measured in calories and is essential for the body to grow, regulate life processes, as well as repair and develop new tissues and nerve impulses.

Let’s take a closer look at macronutrients and their functions:

• Carbohydrates – are required for energy and provide the body’s main source of energy. Carbs form the major part of stored food in the body for later use of energy and exist as sugar, starch and fiber. Carbohydrates are also important for fat oxidation and can be converted to protein.

• Proteins – provide amino acids and make up most of the cell structure including the cell membrane. They tend to be the last used of all macronutrients.

• Fats – have the highest caloric content and provide the largest amounts of energy when burned. Fats are used in making steroids and hormones as well as serve as solvents for hormones and fat soluble vitamins.

• Water – is the main component of our body fluids and makes up most of our weight. The body needs more water than any other nutrient and we replenish it through the food we eat and what we drink. Water serves as a carrier. It distributes nutrients to cells and removes wastes through urine. It regulates body temperature and the ionic balance of our blood. Water is also essential for the body’s metabolism.

The importance of water as the 4th macronutrient

Learn more at Santosa Detox & Wellness Center

Are you interested in learning more about water as the 4th macronutrient? The staff at Santosa highly recommends a great book titled, Your Body’s Many Cries for Water. Written by Dr. F. Batmanghelidj, the book is a pioneering physician’s twenty years of clinical and scientific research into the role of water in the body, explains a breakthrough discovery that Unintentional Chronic Dehydration(UCD) produces stress, chronic pains and many painful degenerational diseases. Dry mouth is not the only sign of dehydration; waiting to get thirsty is wrong. You will learn the different signals of thirst when your body is calling for water. Simply adjusting your water intake – yes, water! Natural, pure water!- can help you to live a healthier, pain-free life.

If the book has piqued your interest and you want to discuss further, fill out theenquiry formand get in touch with us. We are always happy to discuss how to begin a health & wellness journey here at our delightful detox retreat on the stunning tropical island of Phuket, Thailand.