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Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Knowledge Gateway

A reference point for public health policy makers with reliable, independent and up-to date information on topics related to promotion of health and well-being.

  • Page | Last updated: 08 Apr 2021

Health effects related to water intake

Health Promotion Knowledge Gateway

Effect of water intake (or lack of water intake) on normal biological processes & mental and physical functions as described by food- and health-related organisations
  • 'a  cause  and effect relationship has been established between the  dietary intake of water and maintenance of normal physical and cognitive functions'.
  • 'a  cause  and  effect relationship has been established between the  dietary intake of water and maintenance of normal thermoregulation'.
  • 'Water is the main component of the human body and is vital for organ functions and for thermoregulation'.
AHA 2014
  • 'Keeping the body hydrated helps the heart more easily pump blood through the blood vessels to the muscles. And, it helps the muscles work efficiently'.
  • 'Dehydration can be a serious condition that can lead to problems ranging from swollen feet or a headache to life-threatening illnesses such as heat stroke'.
  • Water helps lubricate and cushion joints, protects the spinal cord and other sensitive tissues, and helps get rid of wastes through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements.
  • Water helps the body to keep temperature normal.
IOM 2005
  • 'Dehydration can adversely influence cognitive function and motor control'.
  • '…dehydration can adversely influence aerobic and endurance-type exercise performance. The level of body water deficit needed to induce performance decrements probably approximates 2 percent body weight deficit; however, some individuals are probably more sensitive and others less sensitive to the amount of body water deficit on performance consequences'.
  • 'overall, available evidence, including the results of one clinical trial,  strongly suggests that increased total water consumption can be effective therapy to prevent recurrent kidney stones. There is also some evidence from observational studies that increased fluid intake lowers the risk of incident kidney stones. However, this limited evidence is insufficient to set requirements for water intake as a means to prevent kidney stones'.