What would happen if you didn’t drink water? - Mia Nacamulli
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0:07 - 0:09Water is virtually everywhere,
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0:09 - 0:11from soil moisture and ice caps,
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0:11 - 0:14to the cells inside our own bodies.
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0:14 - 0:16Depending on factors like location,
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0:16 - 0:17fat index,
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0:17 - 0:18age,
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0:18 - 0:19and sex,
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0:19 - 0:24the average human is between 55-60% water.
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0:24 - 0:27At birth, human babies are even wetter.
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0:27 - 0:32Being 75% water,
they are swimmingly similar to fish. -
0:32 - 0:37But their water composition drops to 65%
by their first birthday. -
0:37 - 0:40So what role does water
play in our bodies, -
0:40 - 0:44and how much do we actually need to drink
to stay healthy? -
0:44 - 0:49The H20 in our bodies works to cushion
and lubricate joints, -
0:49 - 0:50regulate temperature,
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0:50 - 0:54and to nourish the brain and spinal cord.
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0:54 - 0:56Water isn't only in our blood.
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0:56 - 1:01An adult's brain and heart are almost
three quarters water. -
1:01 - 1:04That's roughly equivalent to the amount
of moisture in a banana. -
1:04 - 1:08Lungs are more similar to an apple at 83%.
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1:08 - 1:14And even seemingly dry human bones
are 31% water. -
1:14 - 1:16If we are essentially made of water,
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1:16 - 1:18and surrounded by water,
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1:18 - 1:20why do we still need to drink so much?
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1:20 - 1:24Well, each day we lose two to three liters
through our sweat, -
1:24 - 1:25urine,
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1:25 - 1:27and bowel movements,
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1:27 - 1:28and even just from breathing.
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1:28 - 1:31While these functions
are essential to our survival, -
1:31 - 1:33we need to compensate for the fluid loss.
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1:33 - 1:38Maintaining a balanced water level
is essential to avoid dehydration -
1:38 - 1:40or over-hydration,
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1:40 - 1:43both of which can have devastating
effects on overall health. -
1:43 - 1:45At first detection of low water levels,
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1:45 - 1:48sensory receptors
in the brain's hypothalamus -
1:48 - 1:51signal the release
of antidiuretic hormone. -
1:51 - 1:54When it reached the kidneys,
it creates aquaporins, -
1:54 - 2:00special channels that enable blood
to absorb and retain more water, -
2:00 - 2:03leading to concentrated, dark urine.
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2:03 - 2:07Increased dehydration can cause
notable drops in energy, -
2:07 - 2:08mood,
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2:08 - 2:09skin moisture,
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2:09 - 2:10and blood pressure,
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2:10 - 2:13as well as signs of cognitive impairment.
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2:13 - 2:17A dehydrated brain works harder
to accomplish the same amount -
2:17 - 2:19as a normal brain,
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2:19 - 2:23and it even temporarily shrinks
because of its lack of water. -
2:23 - 2:26Over-hydration, or hyponatremia,
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2:26 - 2:31is usually caused by overconsumption
of water in a short amount of time. -
2:31 - 2:33Athletes are often the victims
of over-hydration -
2:33 - 2:37because of complications
in regulating water levels -
2:37 - 2:39in extreme physical conditions.
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2:39 - 2:44Whereas the dehydrated brain amps
up the production of antidiuretic hormone, -
2:44 - 2:49the over-hydrated brain slows,
or even stops, releasing it into the blood. -
2:49 - 2:52Sodium electrolytes in the body
become diluted, -
2:52 - 2:54causing cells to swell.
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2:54 - 2:56In severe cases,
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2:56 - 3:00the kidneys can't keep up with
the resulting volumes of dilute urine. -
3:00 - 3:02Water intoxication then occurs,
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3:02 - 3:04possibly causing headache,
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3:04 - 3:05vomiting,
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3:05 - 3:08and, in rare instances, seizures
or death. -
3:08 - 3:10But that's a pretty extreme situation.
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3:10 - 3:12On a normal, day-to-day basis,
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3:12 - 3:16maintaining a well-hydrated system
is easy to manage -
3:16 - 3:20for those of us fortunate enough
to have access to clean drinking water. -
3:20 - 3:24For a long time, conventional wisdom said
that we should drink eight glasses a day. -
3:24 - 3:26That estimate has since been fine-tuned.
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3:26 - 3:30Now, the consensus is that the amount
of water we need to imbibe -
3:30 - 3:33depends largely on our weight
and environment. -
3:33 - 3:40The recommended daily intake varies from
between 2.5-3.7 liters of water for men, -
3:40 - 3:43and about 2-2.7 liters for women,
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3:43 - 3:46a range that is pushed up
or down if we are healthy, -
3:46 - 3:47active,
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3:47 - 3:48old,
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3:48 - 3:50or overheating.
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3:50 - 3:52While water is the healthiest hydrator,
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3:52 - 3:53other beverages,
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3:53 - 3:55even those with caffeine
like coffee or tea, -
3:55 - 3:57replenish fluids as well.
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3:57 - 4:02And water within food makes up
about a fifth of our daily H20 intake. -
4:02 - 4:04Fruits and vegetables like strawberries,
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4:04 - 4:05cucumbers,
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4:05 - 4:09and even broccoli are over 90% water,
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4:09 - 4:14and can supplement liquid intake while
providing valuable nutrients and fiber. -
4:14 - 4:17Drinking well might also have various
long-term benefits. -
4:17 - 4:22Studies have shown that optimal hydration
can lower the chance of stroke, -
4:22 - 4:23help manage diabetes,
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4:23 - 4:28and potentially reduce the risk
of certain types of cancer. -
4:28 - 4:32No matter what, getting the right amount
of liquid makes a world of difference -
4:32 - 4:33in how you'll feel,
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4:33 - 4:34think,
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4:34 - 4:36and function day to day.
- Title:
- What would happen if you didn’t drink water? - Mia Nacamulli
- Speaker:
- Mia Nacamulli
- Description:
-
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-would-happen-if-you-didn-t-drink-water-mia-nacamulli
Water is essentially everywhere in our world, and the average human is composed of between 55 and 60% water. So what role does water play in our bodies, and how much do we actually need to drink to stay healthy? Mia Nacamulli details the health benefits of hydration.
Lesson by Mia Nacamulli, animation by Chris Bishop.
- Video Language:
- English
- Team:
- closed TED
- Project:
- TED-Ed
- Duration:
- 04:52
Emilie Soffe edited English subtitles for What would happen if you didn't drink water? | ||
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Jessica Ruby edited English subtitles for What would happen if you didn't drink water? | ||
Jessica Ruby accepted English subtitles for What would happen if you didn't drink water? | ||
Jessica Ruby edited English subtitles for What would happen if you didn't drink water? | ||
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Jennifer Cody edited English subtitles for What would happen if you didn't drink water? |