H2O - two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. Commonly referred to as water, this substance is one of the most crucial nutrients to good health. Water might be everywhere - but never take it for granted.

It has been reported that if you were to drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water a day you can decrease your chance of colon cancer by as much as fifty percent, bladder cancer by fifty percent and potentially decrease your risk of breast cancer. Water is a plus for a healthy lifestyle.

Water is needed to maintain your body's metabolism and without sufficient amounts you can become dehydrated. Persistent mild dehydration can lead to long term consequences. Water is vital for all cells and organs to properly function and the lack of water may lead to chronic health problems.

Dehydration is a condition that develops when there is not enough water in your system to carry out ordinary body functions. The human body is made up of approximately 70 per cent of water; thus allowing for a built in transportation system, or circulation. Your circulation system demands the need for the proper amount of fluid in order to properly function.

Can you recall the last time you might have suffered from a headache, felt tired for no apparent reason, or had no appetite? Possibly your skin was flushed, you felt light headed or had dry mouth or dry eyes? All of these are early indications of mild or moderate dehydration.

Following are some little known facts about water and the negative effects that the lack of water can attribute to a healthy lifestyle:

• Lack of water is the number one cause of daytime fatigue
• Mild case of dehydration will slow your metabolism rate by three per cent
• Seventy-five percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated
• Preliminary research has shown that up to eight glasses of water could significantly ease back or joint pain
• The thirst mechanism is so weak, that in thirty-seven percent of Americans, it is mistaken for hunger pains

Water plays so many important roles in our bodies that it is definitely a plus for a healthy lifestyle. Due to the fact that water has numerous and diverse functions it is often referred to as the most important nutrient. Life as we know it could not exist without water and no other nutrient makes more of an impact on your health than water.

Undeniably, a health conscious person should make it a priority to making sure that they are drinking a sufficient amount of water every day. Your future health depends on the water you drink today and is a plus for a healthy lifestyle. There is no other nutrient that makes more of an impact on your health than water.