How much water does our body need each day?

Bożena Regulska-Ilow: – The calculations show that a man needs 3 litres and 700 ml. People who exercise intensively or practise a sport need more water. On average, however, we should drink one and a half litres of water a day. We obtain the rest of the water from solid foods: vegetables and fruit, because most of them contain 90% water by weight and are an important source of it.

Why do we replenish and supply our bodies with water?

Metabolic processes produce less water than is needed for various processes in the body, such as absorption. The need for water is particularly high when our diet is high in protein. Poles consume twice as much protein as they should. Consequently, more water is needed to excrete such an amount of protein metabolism products. That is why we need to supply more of it.

In what form should we consume water?

Children and adults should obtain 70% of their water by drinking low-mineralised water suitable for everyday use. The need for highly mineralised water occurs only in specific situations, such as convalescence or professional sports. Teenagers also have a high need for highly mineralised water, but they should drink it only from time to time. Spring water or tap water should be used on a regular basis. Whether it is boiled or not is a matter of personal preference.

How should we drink water?

For water to be absorbed properly, it should be drunk in small sips. You should always have water within reach. Young children and people over 65 do not experience strong thirst. Therefore, they need to be reminded to drink regularly.

What are the symptoms of dehydration?

They include fatigue, loss of appetite, and reduced mental and physical activity. These symptoms can already be felt at 2–3% dehydration. Only people who have trained in sport for years have a higher tolerance for water deficiency in the body.

What is the difference between good tap water and bottled mineral water?

Spring water and groundwater must contain between 500 and 1,500 milligrams of minerals per litre. Tap water (water from the water supply system) Water from the water supply system obtained from deep wells is low in minerals, has the parameters of spring water and is entirely suitable for regular consumption. Such water is important for very young children up to 12 months who already eat cereal porridges or drink powdered milk. For them, spring water or tap water is the most suitable. A child's kidneys must not be burdened with highly mineralised water. Breast milk contains an appropriate amount and does not contain too many minerals; that is why cow's milk for small children is diluted several times. The same applies to older people. I recommend that water make up 70% of beverages for everyone; even juices should be diluted with it, because then there are not as many acids in the mouth that dissolve tooth enamel. However, care should be taken when drinking moderately and highly mineralised water. It must not be consumed continuously; in particular, drinking highly mineralised water containing more than 1,500 mg of mineral components per litre should be supervised by a doctor.

How do you assess the water in Bolesławiec?

Mr President Józef Król informed me that it is water from underground sources with appropriate microbiological purity and composition. Low-mineralised spring water has such parameters; one could say that there is no difference between them and that tap water can be safely consumed. Schools should provide unlimited and free access to water. It is an essential component of the diet. We should develop the habit of drinking water, as it is essential for us.

(Excerpts from a conversation with the presidents of PWiK and Azart Sat)