Water. We drink it, we bathe in it, and we swim in it but what roles does it play in our body? Here are just 5 ways water keeps our body healthy and in an optimum state to function effectively.

Water helps to keep dehydration at bay and prevents nasty symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and dry skin. Most people take on board enough water throughout the day by drinking when they feel thirsty and drinking with their meals. But there are some groups of individuals which may need a little more encouragement, including the elderly and the young. Keeping yourself hydrated doesn’t mean you should only drink plain water. Instead, drinks including squash, tea and coffee all count as do watery fruits and vegetables such as strawberries and cucumber.

As well as keeping us hydrated, water helps to keep our tissues moist. Our eyes, nose and mouth can be prevented from feeling dry by keeping the body hydrated through adequate water intake. Other areas of the body which can benefit from this include the brain, blood and bones. Furthermore, our joints such as our knees, ankles and elbows are kept lubricated and cushioned by water, and it also keeps our spinal cord protected.

The obvious answer for this is, of course, the process of urination and defecation. However, adequate water intake also ensures waste is removed through sweating. The liver, kidneys and intestines also require water to flush waste from them. You may be able to prevent constipation (this is not scientifically proven) by drinking lots of water as this helps to soften your stools and facilitates the movement of food through the intestinal tract.

The first process of digestion is chewing – a process which involves saliva. The basis of saliva is water and helps to soften our food ready to be swallowed alongside enzymes which dissolve minerals and nutrients. Water helps the body to digest soluble fibre. Soluble fibre includes pectin’s and beta glucans – found in oats and fruit. In the presence of water, this fibre dissolves easily and aids your digestion by helping to form soft stools which are easy to pass.

The intake of water helps to regulate our body temperature. When it is hot outside, we sweat more and so lose more water. Therefore, keeping our body temperature constant.

Generally, you should aim to drink around 1.5 litres of water per day, but we are all different. You know yourself better than anyone and will know if you feel thirsty or dehydrated. Remember, if you participate in vigorous exercise, have a fever or an illness such as vomiting and diarrhoea, you will need to replace the lost fluids. Likewise, if you are pregnant or nursing you may want to speak to your GP about increasing your fluid intake particularly if you are breastfeeding because your body will use more water than normal

Waist Bead: is an African accessory that consist of small and big different types of beads on a string or wire worn around the waist or hips.

Waist beads are very important in the life of an African woman. People say it is culture; others say it is part of the weapons use by co-wives to compete in their matrimonial houses.

Some also say that it is a weapon of seduction used by women to attract the opposite sex.

Ladies wear Waist Beads for different Reasons, and they include:

1) Measurements: Waist Beads is used as a measurement tool.

Women wear them to check their weights. Just like clothes, the ornaments will fit loser on you when you lose weight and they will fit tighter on you when you gain weight.

Some waist beads also stretch, so if the waist beads start to feel a little tight, it’s a sign that there was some weight gain, and vice versa.

2) Body Shaping: Both traditionally and in modern times, women will wear waist beads to get/keep their bodies intact. It shapes your body.

There is something about wearing waist beads that creates the optical "illusion" of having the most attractive hips.

3) Beautification: Most ladies wear Waist Beads for beautification, they feel very comfortable when waist beads is worn around their waist.

The more beads one wears, the better definition it gives to your waist when walking.

4) Sensuality & Sexuality : It is also believed that waist ornaments carry a certain power to them, an unexplainable enticing power. They are subtle but yet very alluring to the opposite sex. I’m guessing there could be some truth there.

Someone told me that women used beads soaked in the traditional water incence; then wear it around their waist and use it in a romantic encounter to entice their men.

5) Rites of Passage / Fertility : It is believed that a young lady’s transition into womanhood should be well celebrated.

After all, a woman’s first menstrual cycle indicates her fertility and thus her potential of bringing forth a child.

Our great grand mothers wore waist beads during traditional occasions, such as initiation and marriage ceremonies,

They wear waist beads around their waist and dance with it, and dancing with beads around your waist, is colourful and it feels good.

Beautiful Pictures of Waist Beads:

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