Greetings,

In today’s class, we shall look at the role of water in the body, and it’s connection with food. Whether it is in or out, up or down, for the most part water is apart of our everyday experiences. From this heavenly resource, we can gather both physical and spiritual applications. “The great Teacher…delighted to gather the spiritual teaching from the surroundings of daily life” CG 51. In like manner, as we study the physical benefits of water, let us seek to ask the great Teacher for spiritual lessons! By doing so, drinking our daily dose of water, instead of being a mere round of cups, will lift our thoughts to the Living Fountain. Thirsty anyone?

What Water Does in the Body

About three-fourths of the body is water. The blood, fluid, of which a person weighing 150 pounds has about 10 pounds or 5 quarts, is 92 per cent water. The red corpuscles are 65 percent water, the white corpuscles 70 percent, the body cells 80 percent, the protoplasm 75 percent, the salvia (about three pints daily) 99 percent, the gastric juice (one to two quarts daily) 99 percent, the pancreatic juice (three pints daily) 98 percent, the liver bile (nearly two quarts daily) 99 percent, skin perspiration (from one pint up to five pounds daily) 99 percent, moisture in breath exhaled daily, one quart, the kidneys daily exercise from one to two quarts (one quart of water is required to eliminate 45 grams of waste in the urine); the brain is 85 percent water, the nerves 75 percent, the heart 70 percent, the lungs 75 percent, the liver 70 percent, the kidneys 80 percent.

Water is the body’s solvent. In cooperation with chemicals it breaks down food and prepares it for absorption and use in the cells. It is the medium of chemical activities in the body, which are legion. It is the medium of exchange of all life-giving supplies from one point to another until they reach the cells, and of all wastes from one point to another until they are excreted; without it the blood could not move. It is the agent in osmosis, which will be mentioned in a later class.

Water is the medium in which all living matter functions. It is the lubricant of all moving parts.
It is the regulator of body temperature. The body cells are “water cooled.” Violent effort continued for twenty minutes would generate enough heat to coagulate the albuminous substances in the body, as the white of an egg is cooked, unless this heat were promptly dissipated. The cells are surrounded with water and so are “water cooled.”  Water drinking gives the body an “internal bath” and purifies the medium in which the cells live and work and so quickens their work.

The storage of water in the body is largely in the skin and muscles. When there is a deficiency of water, the processes of elimination will continue, but to do so the blood and tissues will be robbed of some of their water content, which will hinder their normal processes. If this continues, it may lower the blood pressure; headache, malaise, and other conditions may develop. Constipation may develop. Kidneys, lungs, and pores will be hindered in eliminating wastes from the body and so the wastes will accumulate all the way back to each cell, and the inside of the body becomes like a stagnant pool.

When the loss becomes severe enough, the blood thickens so that its circulation becomes difficult and the corpuscles stick in the minute capillaries and the blood fails to return to the heart as it should, the blood pressure falls, and a state similar to shock may arise. If by fasting one loses all of the stored glycogen, all of the reserves of fat, and even half of the body protein, the life is not in danger; but the loss of 10 percent of the body’s water is serious and a loss of 20 to 22 percent is fatal. A person deprived of water will die in 60 to 80 hours.

Can the reader not see the importance of supplying the body with at least 6 to 8 glasses of water daily in addition to the moisture in the foods? The body is losing from two to four quarts of water daily, and this loss must be made good or the life processes will be hindered. The natural thirst of persons of sedentary occupation is not a sure guide to the amount of water they need, as they may need more water than their sense of thirst demands. They should establish a drinking schedule. Copious drinking early in the morning, and from one to two hours before the other meals, and at bedtime, should become a part of their daily program.

Did you get any object lessons? If so, please share with us in the comment section below! One of the lessons gathered, is that we can’t look to our natural thirst for righteousness as a sure guide. Often we may need to spend more time with Jesus than we sense. Therefore, establishing a daily schedule to meet with God is essential. Copious time dedicated to commune with God, especially in the morning, is crucial for spiritual life! Only He can fill our cups, so that we want no more.

Another lesson, is that faith is a medium just like water. “Faith is the medium by which the renewed heart is drawn close to the great heart of love. Faith elevates the sinking soul. Faith lightens every burden and relieves every weariness, by the anticipation of the mansions Jesus has gone to prepare for them that love him” GW 467. Who is the author and finisher of our faith? Jesus! He too is the medium or mediator. Jesus is the appointed medium of communication with our Heavenly Father. Jesus is the medium through which all blessings flow. Now, where is our Mediator? In the Most Holy Place! By faith, we can meet with Him there (Exodus 25:22). Praise ye the Lord!

In next weeks class, we shall study the ministry of minerals! Please join in and invite others. Blessings!

*Study adapted from the book, Abundant Health by Julius G. White