It is a well-known fact that drinking pure water is one of the crucial elements for optimal health. However, it is also a fact that many people choose other fluids instead of pure water or don’t drink enough water and fluids during the day. This is especially true for children who tend to drink more sweet drinks while teenagers are great fans of energy and sports drinks.
A study conducted by scientists from Harvard University revealed that more than 50% of Americans are dehydrated. According to the same study, 25% of children don’t drink water every day.
Your body needs water for proper functioning
By weight, an average individual is approximately 65% water. Water is necessary for most biochemical reactions and physiological processes:
- Detoxification and waste removal;
- Metabolism;
- Body temperature regulation;
- Blood circulation.
When we lose about one or two percent of the water in our body, the body automatically sends signals to the brain and we become thirsty. This is a very efficient system that reminds us of the importance of water.
But, the fact is that when we get this feeling we are already slightly dehydrated, so it is better to react immediately or to drink regularly and avoid this signal. In addition, this warning mechanism is not well developed in children and it is less effective in the elderly.
Sugar cravings and hunger are other signs that you need water. In addition, there are a few more signals that suggest that our body needs water:
- Chills;
- Frequent mood swings;
- Muscle cramps;
- Poor memory and concentration;
- Joint or backache;
- Dizziness and fatigue;
- Dry skin;
- Constipation;
- Bad breath;
- Frequent sugar cravings;
- Dark urine and irregular urination;
- Headaches.
Whilst, indeed, these symptoms are often mild they can lead to more serious problems typical for severe dehydration.
The Urine Color is a Significant Hydration Marker
One of the most common tips you will find is to drink about 8 eight-ounce glasses of plain water a day. However, keep in mind that this amount should be increased if you are more active and if the weather is warmer.
There is no universal answer about how much water each of us needs. A scientific study has shown that one way to determine hydration status is to check the appearance of the urine. Dark-colored and concentrated urine is a clear sign that the kidneys are keeping the water in the system to help it function properly which means that you need more water. The best sign is clear light-colored (yellow) urine.
Keep in mind that taking some supplements like vitamin B2 (riboflavin) can make your urine light-colored although you might lack water. In addition, a healthy person needs to urinate about 7 times a day.
When it Comes to Driving, Dehydration is Equally Dangerous as Drunkenness
Dehydration leads to many reactions in your body. Those who are dehydrated usually feel irritated. They also can’t focus and concentrate and they feel fatigued. A study published by the reputable Physiology and Behavior Journal has shown that dehydrated drivers make two times more mistakes during a two-hour drive than hydrated drivers.
This amount of mistakes is similar to the one in drunk drivers. So, next time you are avoiding drinking water because you don’t want to take breaks for urination, think twice.
Drinking pure water instead of other beverages will improve your health
It is crucial to understand that your body loses water daily, even when you are inactive and the weather is not hot. That’s why you need to replenish this loss. Although fruit juices, soda, energy drinks, and other similar drinks contain water they should not be viewed as a substation for plain water.
For example, most of them contain substances like caffeine which means that you are dehydrating your body. We all know that soft drinks often make us thirstier and that’s because of the high amount of sugar they contain.
In addition, soda drinks also increase the chances of developing diabetes. If you want to stay safe and hydrated drink more water.
Why should we avoid sports drinks?
There is a myth that sports drinks are more efficient than water when it comes to physical activity like training. This is simply not true, because although these drinks contain electrolytes they also contain sugar. Some of them include food coloring and artificial flavors, substances that certainly won’t improve your health.
Fructose in the liver is processed similarly to alcohol and if you drink large amounts of these drinks you will contribute to the dysfunction of the metabolism.
In addition, drinks that have artificial sweeteners instead of sugar might provide even worse results. If you are worried about electrolyte levels, you can drink water with a small amount of unprocessed salt like Himalayan salt. This salt comes with dozens of different minerals that will improve the overall functioning of your body.
Many nutritionists advise the use of coconut oil if you are training hard. This water is an excellent source of electrolytes. Finally, instead of drinking fresh fruit juices, you should eat fruits to improve your hydration and electrolyte levels.
Fruit Juice and Soda Lead to Poor Health
Most people have finally realized that drinking soda can be dangerous, but only a small number of them know that fruit juice can be harmful too. This is one of the reasons why we witness the rise of people dealing with obesity and overweight as well as people who are suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, and liver disease. Fruit juices can be equally dangerous as soda and in some cases, they are even worse.
For example, only one 8-ounce glass of orange juice contains eight full teaspoons of sugar and fructose contributes about 50% of this sugar. This is a similar amount of sugar to the one found in soda (10 teaspoons). Fruit drinks often contain corn syrup (rich in fructose).
In case you or your family are big fans of sodas and fruit juices, it is time to change this habit. Drink plain water instead. This change is not difficult to make and you will see the results only after a week.
Replace Bottled Water with Filtered Plain Water or Structured Spring Water
There is no doubt that drinking water is the best way to hydrate your body. But, what you need to take care of is the type of water that you consume.
You need filtered water that is free of toxins. Unfortunately, most tap water comes with various dangerous contaminants like chlorine, heavy metals, etc.
The same goes for bottled water. Bottled water is stored in plastic bottles and part of the chemicals found in the bottle transfer to the water. In addition, bottled water is expensive.
Some studies have confirmed that in some cases bottled water comes with more contaminants than tap water.
The best solution is to use a water filter in your home. This is an inexpensive and very efficient solution. If you want to use your water outside use a glass bottle instead of a plastic one.
Of course, if you have the chance, you should drink water from a natural gravity-fed spring. You can use the FindASpring.com website to find the location of a spring that is near your location. This type of water has the perfect pH balance and comes with natural filtration.
Drink Pure Water daily for Optimal Health
As you can see, drinking pure water is the best way to achieve optimal health. Forget about bottled and sweetened drinks and stick to pure water. When it comes to the amount of water you need, take a closer look at your lifestyle.
Don’t forget to listen to your own body. When you are feeling thirsty, drink water as soon as possible. If you feel tired and cranky maybe it is time to drink a glass of water. If your urine is dark-colored consume more pure water.
Sources and References: Epoch Times; CNN; Washington Post; Eurekalert; NCBI; CNN; Daily Mail; Harvard; Health; Find A Spring; Mercola