Water is vital to every system in the body, and the science of hydration goes far beyond simply quenching thirst. The human body is approximately 60% water, and nearly every biological process depends on it. From regulating temperature to distributing nutrients, water plays an essential role in keeping us alive and maintaining overall health.

Proper hydration impacts everything from brain function to digestion, and even mild dehydration can lead to both short-term discomfort and long-term health complications. We’re constantly losing water through everyday activities like sweating, breathing, and going to the bathroom, and replenishing those stores is how we maintain balance and prevent dehydration.

Below, we break down how water supports key processes in the body and why staying hydrated is one of the simplest yet most powerful health practices.

Here’s a closer look at how water supports essential processes:

  • Regulates body temperature and releases excess heat through sweat
  • Flushes toxins and waste products out of cells
  • Aids digestion by creating saliva and making food easier to break down
  • Dissolves nutrients from food and distributes them throughout the body
  • Binds to waste and sweeps it out of the intestines, helping prevent constipation and diverticulitis
  • Improves blood oxygenation, which enhances energy and organ function
  • Lubricates and cushions joints, tissues, and the spinal cord so we can move safely
  • Enables optimal brain function and may reduce anxiety and other negative emotions
  • Aids in weight loss
  • Helps prevent kidney stones from forming (although if kidney stones do form, a fun fact: This 2016 study and anecdotal evidence show that riding in the back row of a roller coaster may actually help you pass kidney stones!)

While there are many ways to dehydrate, including through perspiration, respiration, urination, and defecation, there’s really only one way to re-hydrate: by consuming water (or by intravenous fluids, although these are not medically necessary for most of us).

Understanding the science of hydration reveals just how critical water is to our health. From cellular function to mental clarity, water is at the center of nearly every process that keeps us feeling and performing at our best. Ensuring that we stay hydrated isn’t just about avoiding thirst—it’s about maintaining the balance our bodies need to thrive. At Pure Water Technology of Connecticut we can help you with your hydration needs. We offer filtered water and ice systems. Visit our website for a free one week trial.