Today I want to talk about something real simple, that the majority of us clearly don't get enough of: Water! Studies have shown that 2/3rds of Americans don't drink enough water! We
can go without food for weeks but without water we die of dehydration
in a few days. Over two-thirds of our body is water yet most of us don’t
clearly understand the importance of drinking plain water. Water is the most abundant
compound in the human body and is necessary for the digestion of food, for
the transport of food to the tissues, for the elimination of body wastes,
for the circulation of body fluids, for a lubricant
in the joints and internal organs - keeping them moist permitting the
passage of substances between the cells and blood vessels - and for the
regulation of body temperature. Water Is part of the blood system holding
dissolved minerals, like calcium and magnesium in solution, making them
available to the body tissues when they an required for proper health.
Most of us have heard or
read about these many functions of water yet ironically most of us are
suffering from dehydration. We have been lead to believe that only when we
experience a "dry mouth" must we be lacking adequate water. This
medical misunderstanding has resulted in pervasive, chronic dehydration
with subsequent health problems.
Some of the problems
treated and alleviated with adequate water intake are asthma, allergies,
hypertension, high cholesterol levels, headaches, migraines, low back
pain, rheumatoid arthritic joint pain, angina pain and intermittent pains (cramp like pain in the legs due to insufficient blood
supply). As people age, they lose
their thirst sensation and become gradually, chronically - dehydrated. All
too frequently we tend to confuse thirst with hunger and instead of
drinking water we eat, leading to weight gain.
The physiological effects
of drinking plain water is not the same as drinking beverages that contain
water like: juices, sodas, coffee and tea. In fact, some of these liquids,
coffee and tea, contain dehydrating agents (caffeine and theophylline)
which stimulate the central nervous system which at the same time creating
a strong diuretic action on the kidneys.
Your body needs a minimum
of 6 to 8 ounce glasses of water each day. Remember, alcohol, juice,
sodas, coffee, and tea don’t count as water. Most of
us will find that we are drinking no more than 3 to 4 glasses per day,
not 6 to 8. Thirst should be satisfied
at all times with water. The more we pay attention to the body’s
constant need of water the healthier we will be. Having a "dry
mouth" is the last outward sign of extreme dehydration. Which can
easily be avoided by drinking the proper amounts of water. Many medications actually
dehydrate the body leading to more severe problems.
Keep in min, the human body
is roughly composed of 25 percent solid matter and 75 percent water. Brain
tissue is said to consist of 85 percent water and the blood is 90 percent
water.
Water - plain, properly
filtered water - is an overlooked and essential nutrient and may be your
missing ingredient to a healthier, more vibrant, and longer life. Did you know that an American taking a five-minute shower uses more water than the average
person in a developing country slum uses for an entire day? Not only that, but a typical individual in the United States uses 500 liters of water each day! Lets all take advantage of the fact that we have water accessible at every hour of the day! Drink up, it's good for your health! Until next time readers, keep it clean! :)
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