Nutrition and Healthy Life

The human body is 50-60% water. As such, water is an important component of the human body, and is essential for good health. A person needs to drink about 2-3 litres of water per day, except in the case of some medical conditions where fluid restriction is advised, or during dehydration and constipation when more water is required. Apart from the water form, it can be consumed in other liquid forms such as fruit juices, soups, milk, buttermilk, tea and coffee. Water performs numerous functions in the body, and these are discussed below. Integral to body organs: Water is an important component of body organs such as brain, muscles, bones and joints. The human brain is 85% water and bones are about 10-15% of water. It also gives shape to the body cells, and prevents them from shrinking. It moisturizes the body organs . It prevents the skin from drying, moisturizes the air in the lungs, and lubricates the joints. Through the kidney and the liver, it enables the removal of toxins ...

A normal individual has about 1 to 2 bowels per day, but if the bowel movement is absent for 3 days or more, it is known as constipation . The stools when passed after 3 days or more are acidic, hard, and have a bad odor. Constipation can be atonic , spastic , or obstructive . Atonic constipation - It is experienced due to lack of muscle tone or elasticity in the colon, a necessary element to pass the stools out from the body. The main reasons for this are lack of fiber in the diet, lack of physical activity, and excessive use of laxatives. Older people commonly experience it if they avoid defecation. The pregnant women may also experience it during pregnancy, or after the delivery of the child. Atonic constipation can be prevented by: Increasing fiber by eating 5-6 servings of vegetables, fruits and whole cereals, and including nuts and seeds in the diet Increasing physical activity by exercising/walking for at least 30 minutes per day Never avoiding defecation Drinking 8-10 glas...