When it comes to health care, quite often the answer lies in a medication or combination of medications.
However, there are some healthy concepts that do not involve medication.
I have come up with four things I think are worth mentioning.
1. Water
2. Exercise
3. Laughter
4. Sleep
There are others, but I will not discuss those, at least not right now.
If you experience adequate amounts of each of these four things, you will probably stay in better health. In this blog we will take a look at water. We’ll look at the other three in future installments.
Consuming an adequate amount of water is vital. It benefits the body in many ways.
1. Water flushes out toxins in the human body which, in large enough quantities, could be harmful. On a related note, consumption of adequate amounts of water can prevent what are called urinary stones. Urinary stones are mineral deposits that can accumulate in the excretory system, especially the kidneys. If these stones materialize, they can be a source of tremendous pain. However, if you drink enough water, you probably will not have to worry about this painful scenario.
2. Water promotes weight loss. Water has no calories, so if you consume water instead of consuming drinks that have calories, you are more likely to lose weight. Some research has found that people who consume water 30 minutes or so before a meal are less likely to overeat at that meal because they feel satiated. (Full) One study found that people who consumed 500 ml of water 30 minutes before meals lost 44% more weight over 12 weeks, compared with people who did not have water before a meal.
3. Water also makes it easier to go to the bathroom. (Defecate) Thus it may help in the prevention and relief of constipation and hemorrhoids. If you do not get enough water, the body pulls more water from the food in the digestive system. As a result, stools forming in the intestines become harder. Hard stools are more difficult to defecate. At this point, constipation and hemorrhoids are more likely to occur. Hard stools can rub up against the tissues of the rectum and anus, even causing bleeding.
4. Water lubricates joints, so joint and muscle pain is less likely. Joints in the human body consist in part of synovial fluid. This fluid is a cushion between the bones on either side of the joint. The more water you drink, the more synovial fluid you will have, and the more cushioning there will be in the joints. Better cushioning means it is less likely you will have to deal with joint pain. On the other hand, inadequate water will lead to less synovial fluid in the joints, and then it is more likely the bones will rub against each other. This rubbing, which is seen with arthritis, can be quite painful and debilitating.
5. Water helps the brain. The more water you drink, the easier it is to concentrate and think effectively. It may even help your mood.
6. If you have certain illnesses, such as a cold, drinking water can help. In the case of the common cold, drinking more water loosens phlegm in the throat and other areas of the respiratory system, making it easier to breathe and decreasing the likelihood of nasal congestion.
In many of these scenarios, water is transporting ions, nutrients, and other materials throughout the body. Movement of such particles is necessary for the body to function properly and at its best. Without the presence of water, such movement is not going to occur as much as it should. Both physical and mental body function will suffer.
Those are just some of the benefits of adequate water consumption. It is definitely one of the things we must have to stay alive.
How much water, then, should we consume? That is up for debate. Many sources recommend eight 8-oz glasses. (That’s 64 ounces or about two liters.) Another source recommends taking your weight in pounds and multiplying by 0.67. (Two-thirds) The resulting number is the number of ounces of water you should consume in a day. An example: A 180-pound person should try to get 120 ounces of water per day. Furthermore, if you exercise, you need to increase your water intake to make up for water loss caused by perspiration.
Does water from food or other beverages count? That is also debatable. I would say yes. This is part of why it is so good to have plenty of fruits and vegetables in the diet: They contain a relatively high percentage of water. Many solid foods do have some water in them. One caution, though: If what you are consuming has high amounts of caffeine or alcohol, you may actually lose water. Caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, which means they accelerate the rate at which water is excreted from the body through the kidneys. To avoid water loss, you have to drink more water to make up for the diuretic effect.
So pour yourself a glass of water. Repeat throughout the day. Do it for good health.
I hope you found this helpful. Thank you for reading.
– The Helpful Pharmacist