How we use water
Water
keeps every system in the body functioning properly. The Harvard Special Health
Report 6-Week Plan for Health Eating notes that water has many important jobs,
such as:
•carrying
nutrients and oxygen to your cells
•flushing bacteria from your bladder
•aiding digestion
•preventing
constipation
•normalizing
blood pressure
•stabilizing
the heartbeat
•cushioning
joints
•protecting
organs and tissues
•regulating
body temperature
•maintaining
electrolyte (sodium) balance.
Giving
your body enough fluids to carry out those tasks means that you're staying
hydrated.If you don't drink enough water, you risk becoming dehydrated. Warning
signs of dehydration include weakness, low blood pressure, dizziness,
confusion, or urine that's dark in color.
So
how much water should you drink? Most people need about four to six cups of
water each day.
Water needs vary
The
daily four-to-six cup rule is for generally healthy people. It's possible to
take in too much water if you have certain health conditions, such as thyroid
disease or kidney, liver, or heart problems; or if you're taking medications
that make you retain water, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs), opiate pain medications, and some antidepressants.
How
much water should you drink if you fit into that category? There's no
one-size-fits-all answer. Dr. Seifter says water intake must be individualized,
and you should check with your doctor to be sure you're getting the right
amount.
But
even a healthy person's water needs will vary, especially if you're losing
water through sweat because you're exercising, or because you're outside on a
hot day. If you're wondering how much water should you drink on those
occasions, speak with your doctor, but a general rule of thumb for healthy
people is to drink two to three cups of water per hour, or more if you're
sweating heavily.
Tips for staying
hydrated
It's
not just water that keeps you hydrated. All beverages containing water
contribute toward your daily needs. And it's a myth that caffeinated beverages
or those containing alcohol are dehydrating because they make you urinate. They
do, but over the course of the day, the water from these beverages still leads
to a net positive contribution to total fluid consumption, according to an
article in the 2015 Harvard Men's Health Watch.
Of
course, there are many reasons why water is still the better choice. Remember,
sugary drinks can lead to weight gain and inflammation, which can increase your
risk for developing diseases such as diabetes. Too much caffeine can give you
the jitters or keep you from sleeping. And, alcohol intake should be limited to
one drink per day for women, and 1-2 drinks per day for men.
To
ward off dehydration, drink fluids gradually, throughout the day. An easy way
to do this is to have a drink at each meal, as well as socially, or with
medicine.
And
know that you also get fluids from water-rich foods, such as salads, fruit, and
applesauce.
Bottom Line : Dont over complicate it. Simply try to always have a small bottle of water within arms reach. This will be a visual reminder to keep sipping through out the day !
No comments:
Post a Comment