Even though it’s necessary for our survival, you probably don’t think much about water (or H2O as it’s known in the scientific world.) It gets the most attention from us when it floods parts of the world. (An inch of rain across one acre of ground yields about 27,000 gallons of water.) Or, when a lack of it, in the form of rainfall, causes a drought. It’s really an amazing liquid. Here are some little known facts about water you’re sure to find interesting.
How Much Water Is On the Earth?
According to statistics, 80% of the earth is covered by water. Nearly all of that- 97% to be exact- can be found in the oceans or in the seas. A little-known fact about water is that a mere 2% of it on earth is in a frozen form and can’t be used.
How Much Water Does the Human Body Contain?
The human body is basically made up of six substances, including oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus. Water, or H2O, makes up about 67% of our bodies as well. We can live without eating food for as long as a month. Yet we can’t live without water for a week.
Water and the Effects on the Human Body
Another little known fact about water (H2O) is this: Drinking too much water in a short period of time can cause a medical condition that’s known as “Water Intoxication” or “Water Poisoning.” This condition can be fatal.
But, if you don’t supply your body with enough water on a daily basis- six to eight glasses are the general recommendation- you can suffer from the effects of another medical condition called, “Dehydration.” Extreme dehydration can also be fatal.
The effects of mild dehydration include weakness, slower brain functions and a drop in your metabolic rate. It’s estimated that as many as three-fourths of the American population are constantly dehydrated.
The Importance of Water
A little-known fact about water is, that it lubricates our joints, cushions our vital organs, transforms the food we eat into needed energy, regulates our body temperature, conveys vital nutrients and oxygen throughout our bodies and it flushes away bodily wastes and toxins.
Water and the Dieter
According to a study performed by the University of Washington, instead of eating a “Midnight Snack”, a single glass of water can stop hunger pangs. Many times when people eat, their bodies actually need water instead of food, according to Doctor Fereydoon Batmanghelidj, the author of “Your Body’s Many Cries For Water” (Global Health Solutions; Revised edition July 1997). Therefore, drinking plenty of water can help you achieve your weight loss goals.
The Water Cycle
Since the earth’s water (H2O) is continuously being recycled, it’s never completely used up. Therefore, it’s possible that we are using some of the same water that the cavemen used.
And finally, here are some miscellaneous facts about water that you probably didn’t know:
Water is the only substance on earth that can occur in three forms, solid, liquid or gas. You undoubtedly know that water freezes when its temperature reaches 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) or below, but do you why ice floats? When water (H2O) freezes and turns into ice, it expands. Ice is lighter in weight than water in its natural state. Therefore, that’s why ice floats on the top of water.
