Water is absolutely essential for a wide variety of functions in the body, including the metabolism of nutrients and the removal of wastes from the body.
I saw this picture posted on Facebook today and it got me thinking. It was probably intended as a statement on drinking alcohol because the liver bears the brunt of removing that toxin, and most others, from your body.
Still, I wondered if the liver has a specific need for water other than the need that every cell in the body already has. It turns out that it sort of does.
The liver’s job is to filter garbage out of the blood. The liver filters more than a quart of blood each minute. It is so important to the body that the liver has its own artery bringing it oxygenated blood and it can regenerate up to 75% of itself in case of injury or disease. That’s pretty darn amazing.
So, why is water so important for the liver? The viscosity of the blood affects the liver’s ability to filter it. About 83% of blood is water, so water has a very direct effect on the viscosity, or thickness, of the blood in your body. If you are dehydrated, your blood gets thicker and harder for your liver to filter adequately.
Your liver doesn’t get a break. Make its job a little easier and stay well hydrated. I think it will appreciate you for it.
I find it a lot easier to drink enough water when it tastes good and I know it is clean and alkaline. Use a good quality water filter and take good care of your body.
Wayne Woodworth
Nikken Water Filtration Systems and Replacement Components