Mineral and Water Essay
Sci 241- Ellsworth July 1, 2012

Water is virtually the most important thing we put into our body yet most of us don’t meet the daily requirements of water. Water keeps us hydrated healthy and alive, so why is it that so many people despise water. Water is full of minerals which depending on the minerals have different functions and sources. In addition to keeping us healthy and alive water plays several very important functions in our body, including regulating body temperature, aiding in food digestion, and flushing out sodium. It’s important to understand the effects of water on your body that way you can understand the signs, symptoms, and general effect that dehydration water has on the body. Every summer countless people end up in the hospital with signs of dehydration, most of those hospital visits could have been avoided with proper understanding of minerals and water. Minerals are important to the health and maintenance of our bodies and bodily functions. There are several different types and kinds of minerals each of these playing important roles in our body, there are trace elements and macro and micro minerals. For starters the macro minerals are calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, and sodium. Each of these macro minerals have important functions in the body ranging from helping aid in the transfer of oxygen between tissues in the body to helping bones and teeth form, as well as controlling the volume of fluid in the cells. Micro minerals are chromium, copper, manganese, selenium, sulphur, and zinc. Micro nutrients also play varying functions in the body ranging from: helping strengthen the immune system to structural health of the body to antioxidant purposes. Minerals are found in varying sources but the most common seem to be green leafy vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats, and some are even found in teas. With the various functions they play in the body, and the fact that minerals are found in almost everything we eat it is important to understand what they are and their functions. In addition to understanding how important minerals are to our bodies it is important we understand the major function that water plays in keeping us alive. The human body is comprised of over 50% water and is found everywhere from cells, to tissue, muscles, to bones. Water helps cleanse your body inside and out as well as lubricates the joints; helps keep our eyes clean, our mouths moist, helps excrete waste, aids with digestion, and regulates body temperature. With that understanding it is important that we drink enough water to avoid the signs of dehydration. The signs of dehydration are: dry mouth, lack of sweat, weakness, decreased urination, lightheadedness, nausea, heart palpitations, and in severe cases dehydration can lead to death. Something like coconut water is an excellent source to keep you hydrated while giving you the added benefits of minerals, and is an excellent way to keep you healthy. With our bodies being comprised of over 50% water it is important to understand the roles and functions it plays in our bodies. It is also important that we understand the signs and symptoms of dehydration so we take the time to stop and drink more water. While water may not have the best reputation over high sugary drinks like soda and juice, it is one of the most important things we can put in our bodies. It is also extremely important for our healthy bodies to understand the different functions and sources of minerals. Every summer you hear reports of people passing out in the sun and dying of dehydration and heat exhaustion, both of which could have been prevented with a simple understanding of water and minerals.