Water’s Journey Through the Body
H2O enters the body through the mouth and flows down the oesophagus to the stomach. From here, it mixes with stomach acids and is absorbed by the food. It will then travel into the intestines, so that it can later be absorbed into the bloodstream. The blood then takes this water to the kidneys.

How is Water Gained and Lost by the Body?
Obviously we can consume water by drinking. All fluids contain water, but some contain other substances that can dehydrate the body such as salt, sugar or caffeine. We can also consume water through food, particularly juicy fruits and vegetables which contain large quantities of water. We even consume water when we respire, by burning glucose.
Yet, at the same time, our body is always losing water. This happens when we sweat or go to the toilet. Both urine and feces contain water that has been filtered out as excess by the kidneys. Every time we breathe out, we are also losing water, which is why our breath condenses on a cold day.

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What Do the Kidneys Do?
The human body contains two kidneys, one either side of the spine, just below the rib cage. The heart pumps blood to the kidneys in order to filter out the bad stuff and keep the good stuff. Firstly, the kidneys will filter the blood for small molecules including water, salt, glucose and urea.
Glucose is easily converted into energy, so the kidneys make sure to reabsorb all of the glucose and put it back into the blood. Urea is a waste product, so the kidneys will make sure none of that is left in the blood and carried around the body. With the salt and water, the kidneys determine how much is needed of each and absorbs that back into the blood. The rest is combined with the urea and sent to the bladder to be excreted.
While the kidneys are very good at their job, they can be negatively impacted by what humans choose to consume. Alcohol will cause the kidneys to over-dilute the urine, which will dehydrate the body. Without enough water, the kidneys won’t be able to flush out the urea, while also providing enough water to the body. Supplying the kidneys with enough water will also prevent the emergence of infections or diseases.
Through understanding the processes involved in the body it is easy to understand why it is vital that the kidneys receive adequate water. If your urine is clear, then you know the kidneys are flushing out excess water. If your urine is a dark yellow, however, you are dehydrated and your kidneys are not getting the water they need to function properly.

The Journey of Water Through the Kidneys

The kidneys are responsible for controlling the balance of water in the body. Since two thirds of our body is water, it is essential to get this balance right for normal functioning of our vital organs. Proper hydration will leave you feeling energized and focused, while boosting your immune and cardiovascular systems. The number of preventable hospitalizations linked to dehydration in Texas has been increasing. Proper hydration is essential for the kidneys. The process is broken down in this article so you can gain an understanding of the importance of hydration.