Factors affecting performance - Fluid intake Essay

Factors affecting performance - Fluid intake - Essay Example Additionally, blood plasma ensures that the arteries and other blood vessels have sufficient fluids. This prevents potential clogging of such tissues. In line with the above fact is the issue of blood pressure. Water plays a cardiovascular function; it ensures that the heart and the surrounding components of the system work correctly. Clogging in the blood vessels may lead to high blood pressure among various illnesses. 2 Water is a transport agent in the body; it is responsible for the transportation of nutrients, waste products, hormones, buffering agents as well as medication or other supplements. Waste products are eliminated from the body through a detoxification process. Water facilitates this by absorbing waste products from cells and transporting them to excretory organs such as the skin or kidney. 3 An example of such a waste product is excess amino acids. The amino acids are converted into urea and eventually eliminated from the body through the kidneys. Water moves this product from the cells. It also moves nutrients into the cells by acting as a solvent for them. Typical examples include glucose, vitamins and other minerals. Through this process, water enhances the body’s ability to metabolise nutrients and thus makes them available in the body. 4 It also plays a critical role in the transportation of hormones. For instance, it facilitates the transportation of insulin. This hormone works on glucose molecules in order to produce energy needed for physiological needs in the body. It is because of this function that blood has an effect on blood sugar levels hence susceptibility to diabetes. Transportation of buffering agents also occurs through the blood. The body needs to have a constant ph level of between 7.38 and 7.42. 5 Buffering agents are mild bases or acids designed to counter sudden increases in acidity or alkalinity of the blood. Examples here include a phosphate