Make sure to get enough fluids

Q: I hardly ever drink water. All my liquids come from juice, milk and soda. Is this bad?

A: The human body is 60 to 70 percent water. When a person doesn't drink enough water, it can have negative effects on the body and the way it operates. Not drinking enough water affects your health. According to NaturoDoc.com, humans can survive without food for two months, but can only go without water a few days before bodily functions are compromised. Among other things, water flushes out toxins in the body and keeps essential organs moist so they can function. Water keeps every part of your body working properly. It can help prevent kidney stones and constipation.

You lose water throughout the day – through your breath, sweat, urine, and bowel movements. If you live in a hot climate, you lose even more fluid. You need to replace this lost fluid to stay healthy. If you don't get enough water, you could dehydrate. If you get very dehydrated, your body no longer has enough fluid to get blood to your organs. This is dangerous.

All liquids help you stay hydrated. Water is usually the best choice, because it's free (if you're drinking tap water) and has no sugar or calories. But most healthy people can get enough fluid through the beverages they consume every day. These can include water, fruit juices, coffee, sodas, iced tea, and other drinks.

A common recommendation is to drink six or eight 8-ounce glasses of water or other fluid every day. But some adults might need more or less, depending on how healthy they are, how much they exercise, and how hot and dry the climate is.

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This story was originally published October 10, 2014 at 9:26 PM with the headline "Make sure to get enough fluids."