You’ve probably heard the saying, “Water is life.” I don’t always take it to mean that a glass of warm water or a cup of hot coffee will keep my body alive. But what I do believe in is that drinking water protects against some diseases by dilating your blood circulation and flushing out toxins and harmful radicals from within the system. As I was told by my doctor as an infant, I should drink 1.2 gallons of water every day. It helps to lower blood pressure (which can lead to stroke), improve digestion and relieve sore throats, bronchitis, strep throat and colds. For those like me who have weak kidneys and/or other organ systems, drinking enough water regularly can lessen symptoms for kidney failure and kidney stones.
Another benefit of drinking water is its ability to neutralize dangerous free radicals contained in our bodies. These are particles that can attach themselves to our cells and disrupt them or kill our organs and tissues. To protect against these radicals, we need to get enough water daily in order for cells to function properly.
How much water should you drink?
I recommend getting about 1.2 gallons of fluid daily through diet and exercise. This amount of fluids is based on my weight, age and health issues, and not necessarily what I feel like drinking more because of the increased thirst. Some examples of fluids I would consider daily are: plain old tap water; unsweetened filtered filtered water; coconut water; lukewarm water from food sources such as fruit, vegetables, and tea; and herbal infusion and tisane.
Benefits of eating water
Another benefit of consuming water is that you cannot get hydrated without drinking water. In fact, many studies indicate that drinking water decreases feelings of dehydration. In addition, proper hydration strengthens the walls of your intestines and promotes regular bowel movements. While this benefits both your digestive system and digestion, it also prevents bloating and irritable bowel. The main benefit of drinking water is that you must drink it if you are going to move around outdoors at any given time. If you forget to drink water, then you are likely going to lose water weight if you aren’t careful. A small sloshing amount of water is also good for cleaning your hands. So, make sure to drink some water throughout the day.
Benefits of persisting to drink water
As mentioned above, there is no substitute for water when it comes to keeping ourselves healthy. We all face health problems in one way or another, however the biggest impact on our lives is through our water intake. When we don’t drink water there are many symptoms associated with dehydration. Sudden changes in body temperature, fatigue, headaches, stomach ache, constipation, low blood pressure, weakness, depression, confusion, loss of appetite, irritability to others, brain fog, muscle aches, cramps, and many more. One solution to alleviate these symptoms is drinking water and keeping us well hydrated. There are several ways to ensure that we are drinking adequate amounts of water daily in order to prevent or treat certain health conditions. Let’s take a look at some of those. We should be hydrating frequently. Drink 2-4 quarts of purified water per hour. Our bodies require water to carry out functions that occur during digestion and excretion. Keeping it hydrated ensures sufficient flow of nutrients, oxygen and water in our systems. Too little water may cause diarrhea and abdominal pain while too much results in decreased bone mineral density and muscle mass.
Benefits of persisting to the recommended amount of water
Water is the key to overall body health. If there is a problem with our overall health, there is bound to be a problem with our water intake, which eventually translates into other areas of our lives. So, as you see in the previous image, there are many different ways in which people get thirsty. People may feel refreshed or want to stay awake after they’re done relaxing at night. They may eat ice cream and snacks while feeling full and less hungry. At times, people drink water for relief of thirst. Just as there’s never a better time to consume water than right now, there is no best time to drink water. No matter how much water you drink, whether it is smoothies, a smoothie or coffee, you should start drinking at least 1 -2 quarts daily. This number will depend highly on your age, body type and health concerns. A few minutes to fifteen minutes before each meal and before bedtime, start drinking enough water in order to aid with digestion, to avoid bloating, and to help control cravings. As you may know the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a minimum of eight quarts of pure water daily. On average, that means the average adult should be consuming around 12 quarts of water per day. However, I would advise you to go even higher if you are overweight or obese. Your urine production increases as you lose water weight. And so does your heart rate, blood pressure, pulse and skin blood thickness. All of these measurements should indicate that there is a problem in your water intake. Even though there is no specific answer as to the reason behind why someone has low water intake, there are proven reasons. Some individuals might be deficient in their natural or necessary water intake due to illness or injury. Others may be lacking in vitamin D, magnesium, protein and other vital minerals or vitamins. Also, people might be malnourished or have an abnormal metabolism of urine, causing the urine production to drop causing urinary tract infections. Or, they might suffer from a genetic condition in which they retain water, leading to extra retention of water weight, which reduces their water intake. All in all, our diet can affect our water intake. Not only do we need a balanced diet, but we also need hydrated nutrition. Healthy food and regular hydration are the keys to keeping us healthy and happy.
In conclusion, it is very difficult to maintain a consistent water intake and it is important that we use it wisely while still maintaining a healthier lifestyle, which includes eating a nutritious diet and engaging in exercise. It’s easy to become overwhelmed, especially when you see new health concerns popping up around, including arthritis, diabetes mellitus, cancer, etc. Don’t worry about your water intake too much. Use your resources wisely and take care of yourself; healthy water and good food make you stronger and healthier in every area of your life. Keep a healthy water intake so that you don't have to worry about excess water weight. Consume fresh water and drink enough throughout the day for your body to function smoothly.
