Our body is made up of 50 to 70% of water and an individual needs ~3 liters of water every day to stay hydrated. It is important to remain hydrated to maintain proper kidney function and cellular homeostasis.
But do you know, a sip of water is also crucial for the DNA? How?
Let’s find out.
Related article: Is the Tap Water Safe for Your DNA?
Key Topics:
Water and our DNA:
When we drink water, it enters the stomach, is absorbed and enters the bloodstream. From here, it is distributed to the cellular network. First, it maintains the osmotic pressure and then benefits deeper down at a nuclear level.
Water is essential for providing stability to our DNA. Studies showed that the water molecule made hydrogen bonds with the DNA backbone, forming a shield to protect its integrity.
This protective shield helps DNA to remain stable for biological activities like replication and transcription.
Furthermore, this water shield also protects DNA. UV rays, toxins and mutagens constantly attack our DNA. The proactive water layer prevents them from directly interacting with DNA and prevent DNA damage.
Adequate water intake also protects cells from oxidative stress. Research demonstrated that oxidative stress, an imbalance between the free radicals and antioxidants, is a major cause of DNA damage.
Hence, a sip of water reduces the likelihood of substantial daily DNA damage by oxidative stress.
Studies showed that under dehydration, enzymes can not catalyse biological reactions effectively. Meaning, their activities gradually dip. The DNA repair system highly relies on various enzymes to repair DNA damage.
Water is also pivotal for enzymes to work efficiently and without any disturbance. So water not only protects from DNA damage but also supports DNA repair activities.
Water flushes off body waste through the kidneys, keeping our system clean and healthy. Hence, it also removes toxins, mutagens and harmful chemicals and cellular waste that interact with DNA and damage it.
One crucial role water plays for our cells is to maintain the pH. DNA is highly pH sensitive; a slight change in pH impacts DNA’s actions. Water maintains a constant pH between 7.5 to 8.0.
Research suggests that at this pH, DNA can remain stable, work efficiently and perform biological activities.
Note that overhydration, for a longer period, disrupts the cellular water and salt balance and alters gene expression. However, no evidence of direct DNA damage has been reported.
Summary:
Water-
- Stabilizes the DNA
- Makes a protective shield
- Prevents oxidative stress
- Distributes nutrients
- Maintains pH
- Protects DNA from toxins
- Supports DNA activities
- Supports DNA repair
Wrapping up:
In conclusion, a sip of water does not directly alter or affect the DNA. But it maintains the pH and cellular osmosis. stabilize, protect and repair the DNA and remove harmful toxins that can potentially damage DNA. Therefore, water is one of the essential molecules for life on Earth.
Next time, when you take a sip of water, remember it does not only work as a purifier but also as a guardian for our DNA.
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Resources:
Satange, Roshan, and Ming-Hon Hou. “The role of water in mediating DNA structures with epigenetic modifications, higher-order conformations and drug-DNA interactions.” RSC chemical biology vol. 6,5 699-720. 14 Mar. 2025, doi:10.1039/d4cb00308j.
