TED演讲:人如果不喝水会怎么样(1)

 　　Water is virtually everywhere, from soil moisture and ice caps, to the cells inside our own bodies. 水几乎无所不在，从土壤水分及冰帽，到人体内的细胞。

　　Depending on factors like location, fat index, age, and sex, the average human is between 55-60% water. 依据一些因素，例如所在位置、脂肪、指数、年龄及性别而不同，一般人体内约有 55-60%是水分。

　　At birth, human babies are even wetter. 刚出生的婴儿甚至更多。

　　Being 75% water, they are swimmingly similar to fish. 水分占了全身的75%，和鱼的水含量很像。

　　But their water composition drops to 65% by their first birthday. 然而在周岁前，体内的水分会降至65%。

　　So what role does water play in our bodies, and how much do we actually need to drink to stay healthy? 那么，水在我们体内扮演什么角色呢？我们该喝多少水来维持健康呢？

　　The H20 in our bodies works to cushion and lubricate joints,  水在人体内负责缓冲及润滑关节、

　　regulate temperature, and to nourish the brain and spinal¹ cord. 调节体温、滋养大脑及脊髓。

　　Water isn't only in our blood. An adult's brain and heart are almost three quarters water. 水不只是存在于血液中，成人的脑及心脏几乎 3/4 是水。

　　That's roughly equivalent to the amount of moisture in a banana. 大约等同於于1根香蕉的含水量。

　　Lungs are more similar to an apple at 83%. 肺比较类似苹果，有83%的水。

　　And even seemingly dry human bones are 31% water. 甚至看起来干燥的骨头都含有31%的水。

　　If we are essentially² made of water, and surrounded by water, why do we still need to drink so much? 若我们主要是由水构成，并且生活周遭都有水，为何我们还需要喝那么多水？

　　Well, each day we lose two to three liters through our sweat, urine, and bowel³ movements, and even just from breathing. 我们每天流失 2 至 3 公升的水，藉由排汗、大小便，甚至呼吸而流失。

　　While these functions are essential to our survival, we need to compensate⁴ for the fluid loss. 然而这些功能对我们生存又很重要，所以我们需要弥补流失的体液。

　　Maintaining a balanced water level is essential to avoid dehydration⁵ or over-hydration, 维持体内水分平衡是必要的，以避免脱水或体内水分过多，

　　both of which can have devastating⁶ effects on overall health. 两者皆会对整体健康造成严重的影响。

1 spinal   

adj.针的，尖刺的，尖刺状突起的；adj.脊骨的，脊髓的

参考例句：

• After three days in Japan,the spinal column becomes extraordinarily flexible.在日本三天，就已经使脊椎骨变得富有弹性了。
• Your spinal column is made up of 24 movable vertebrae.你的脊柱由24个活动的脊椎骨构成。

2 essentially   

adv.本质上，实质上，基本上

参考例句：

• Really great men are essentially modest.真正的伟人大都很谦虚。
• She is an essentially selfish person.她本质上是个自私自利的人。

3 bowel   

n.肠(尤指人肠)；内部，深处

参考例句：

• Irritable bowel syndrome seems to affect more women than men.女性比男性更易患肠易激综合征。
• Have you had a bowel movement today?你今天有排便吗？

4 compensate   

vt.补偿，赔偿；酬报 vi.弥补；补偿；抵消

参考例句：

• She used her good looks to compensate her lack of intelligence. 她利用她漂亮的外表来弥补智力的不足。
• Nothing can compensate for the loss of one's health. 一个人失去了键康是不可弥补的。

5 dehydration   

n.脱水，干燥

参考例句：

• He died from severe dehydration.他死于严重脱水。
• The eyes are often retracted from dehydration.眼睛常因脱水而凹陷。

6 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。