Water also plays a key role in carrying nutrients and oxygen to cells, removing waste, cushioning joints and protecting organs and tissues. Though the minimum daily requirement is 8 glasses going up to 12, the amount of water your body needs depends on your weight. A good guideline is to divide your weight in half and consume that many ounces of water each day. So a 128 pound person needs 64 ounces of water. Without proper hydration, the body is exposed to a variety of health risks.
Mild dehydration can cause sluggishness, dry and itchy skin, headaches, indigestion, constipation.
Long term, serious dehydration poses serious problems that dangerously affect blood pressure, circulation, digestion, kidney function and nearly all body functions.