| Frequently
asked questions about water
WHY DO WE GET THIRSTY?
The feeling of getting thirsty is a response of our body. Getting thirsty
is a sign showing that our body needs liquid. The feeling of getting
thirsty arises when in need of liquid and high table salt. Even a 1-2%
water loss results in thirst. And for the case of water losses higher
than 20% health problems become unavoidable. Although human beings can
survive without eating foods for weeks, they can't survive without having
water for such a long period.
HOW MUCH IS THE AMOUNT OF WATER IN BODY?
Water, which is approximately equal to 2/3 of the weight of a human
body, is the most important structural element of human body. The rate
of amount of water to body weight depends on the age and gender. This
rate is 75% for the newborn babies, 65% for the adults and 55% for the
old people. The amount of water in human body decreases rapidly as a
result of the increase in the lipid tissues, and the change of ligaments
from water rich type to less water type by aging.
Normally there is a balance in the body between the water intake, the
formation of water and its discharge from the body. Water is taken into
the body liquid or solid foods as a result of impulses like thirst,
hunger and appetite. Main liquid discharge takes place through the renal
discharge) urinary system.
WHAT SHOULD BE THE DAILY AMOUNT OF WATER TO
BE CONSUMED BY A NORMAL PERSON?
Although the amount of water that people should drink depends
on the body weight and activities, a person should daily consume 2-3
liters of water, 1,5 liter of which should be from foods. Pregnant women
need more water than the average because there is a water exchange between
the mother and the baby. A woman carries 8 liters more than the normal
level and the baby consumes 0,5-1 liters of water a day.
WHY DO CONSUMERS PREFER BOTTLED WATER TO TAP
WATER FOR DRINKING?
In a research carried out by Tandem Probe Inc., it has been
found out that reason of more than 60% of the consumers to buy bottled
water is "TAT." And other reasons to buy bottled water are
stated as reliability and the high chemical content of tap water.
Different from the tap water, the bottled water do
not contain chlorine. The reason is that ozone gas, which is an oxygen
form, or ultraviolet lamps are used for final disinfection. These methods
do not result in odor or strange taste in water like chlorine.
The chlorine used in tap water kills bacteria, however
trihalomethanes (THMs) shall be formed when they enter into reactions
with organic substances in the water. Trihalomethanes are found out
to be carcinogenic.
The reliability of distribution systems that carry
tap water from its source is a controversial issue. Lead, copper, radon
and other contaminants are known to exist as a combination in water,
which causes many sicknesses among which are serious headaches and cancer.
Most of the tap water is obtained from surface water
resources and as a result they may be contaminated. However, more than
75% of the bottled water is obtained from protected underground water
resources.
|
