Cartilage is composed of four components: Water, collagen, proteoglycans, and chondrocytes. The primary ingredient in cartilage is water. In fact, 65% to 85% of cartilage is water. Water is attracted into cartilage by an ingredient called chondroitan sulfate. Chondroitan sulfate has the ability to bind up to 100 times its weight in water.
Imagine a sponge full of water versus a sponge that is dry and parched. The sponge with water has greater resiliency and spring, almost like a mini shock absorber. The dry sponge, on the other hand, when it is bumped or jarred will pass the impact on to whatever is beside it.
Our goal is to maintain healthy joints, and it can never be accomplished if we are not properly hydrated. Many times people take joint supplements, but do not drink enough water and do not enjoy the full benefit of those supplements. Drink water, and not soda pop, coffee, tea, juice or other sugared drinks and diuretics.