Water

Water is an important nutrient for us. A person can survive only eight to ten days without water.

Water circulates through our blood system, transporting oxygen and nutrients to cells and removing wastes through urine and sweat.

Without water in our diets we could not digest or absorb the foods we eat or eliminate the body's digestive waste.

The human body is 65 percent water, and it takes an average of eight to ten cups to replenish the water our bodies lose each day. Water is replenished by drinking liquids, preferably those without caffeine.

Many foods are also a good source of water:

• fruits and vegetables are 80 to 95 percent water
• meats are made up of 50 percent water
• Grains, such as oats and rice, can have as much as 35 percent water.