Many people take water for granted and prefer instead those other liquid delights such as juices, tea, coffee or carbonated drinks to take with their food. That is not commendable. Water, after all, is most beneficial to our body system.
Dr. Willie Ong, a well-known Internist-Cardiologist in the Philippines, shared with us via a Facebook post the benefits of drinking sufficient water, no less than 8 glasses of water.
Doc Willie Ong shared that our body is filled with water. Our brain has 74% water and our muscles have 75%. Even our hard bones have at least 22% water.
Hence, the well-known philanthropic doctor is puzzled why many Filipinos don’t drink water much. He said there are those who only take in as much as 3 glasses of water. It’s not enough, he said. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why many are under the dialysis treatment.
You see, sufficient intake of water everyday is relevant as it could help prevent certain illnesses, he added.
Benefits of Drinking Sufficient Water Everyday
For starters, having kidney stones can be prevented if one drinks enough water as per the body’s needs. The lack of it causes the urine to turn yellow which may later develop into kidney stones. We don’t want to end up with kidney failure and dialysis, do we? So monitor your 8-12 glasses of water everyday.
One more thing is that the lack of water could make us more prone to infections and frequent urination. Take note also that water intake helps keep one’s fever down. Remember how our grandmothers/mothers force us to drink plenty of water and juices when we’re not feeling well? It’s to flush the fever away!
For coughs, colds and flu, sufficient intake of water helps to loosen up our stuffy nose and sticky phlegm. It also helps us to recover from the flu virus. To combat hyperacidity and stomach discomfort, water is needed to wash away the acid in our tummy. Lukewarm water is best, Doc Willie said.
Water also reduces heartburn, so taking 2-3 gulps of water every 20 minutes or so can help flush the stomach acid away. Take note that bananas and water are effective alternatives to taking antacids. Why not try the natural alternative? To feel energized, make sure you are taking water regularly. The lack of it could make you feel weak and less vibrant. Just like plants, you will feel withered and dry, most especially when the temperature is high like during summer time. The hot weather could cause us to sweat a lot and more water is needed then.
You have a headache? Know that water helps ease the pain of a headache or migraine attack.
Want to lose some weight? Be sure to drink 1 to 2 glasses of water BEFORE meals. It will help to make you feel ‘full’, so that would prevent you from devouring those sumptious food that you or your mom prepared. Doc assured us that water doesn’t make us fat.
Remember also that water prevents constipation. Too little water could cause stools to harden and well, bring about discomfort and bigger worries. Have veggies in your regular diet plus sufficient water to prevent stool problems.
Want to be more beautiful? Doc Willie shared that the beauty secret of dermatologists is simply water! If you’re dehydrated, your eyes lose its luster and become shallow. Your skin could become wrinkled and dry. Again, like plants, you need water to look fresh and shiny. Avoid too much exposure to the sun to prevent your skin from drying up.
What kind of water should you take?
Tap water may be OK for cooking, washing and bathing, but Doc Willie said that we need to spend on purified or boiled water just to feel more safe.
When it is best to drink water
Upon waking up. — Water helps to flush out the toxins that have accumulated all night. Drink 8 to 12 glasses throughout the day. Having a water container at hand helps you rack your intake. Drink little by little instead of taking a huge drink in one gulp. Doc said it will lessen the stress on your heart.
Choose to drink water as much as possible; say no to soft drinks, alcohol or coffee. You don’t have to wait until you’re thirsty. You don’t gas up your car only when it’s totally empty, right. When the weather’s too hot, drink more. It’s to prevent dehydration and to allow the body system to go through its course without any hitch.
Are you a workout buff? You need more water as you do those exercise drills.
And if you’re expecting or breastfeeding, you need additional fluids to stay healthier and well-hydrated.
