Why Drink Water?

Contributed by: Vixen Klein, Pharm.D. Candidate

KU School of Pharmacy

Text Box: The body’s need for water is second only to oxygen. Water is the medium for all body fluids including blood, lymph, digestive enzymes, urine, and perspiration. Water balances acids, moves nutrients into cells, cleanses the body of toxins, and is a solution for electrolytes. There are countless reasons to drink water. It is natures remedy for what ails you. WEIGHT LOSS A glass of water will curve that craving for a snack or make you feel full sooner during a meal. Sometimes when your body tells you that you’re hungry, you may actually be thirsty. So have a glass of water before you pig out and help prevent dehydration. When you are dehydrated, your body goes into panic mode and retains every bit it can. This leads to water retention and loss of thirst. Water shows up as excess weight. To get rid of this weight, drink more water. The more water you drink, the less water you retain. Studies have shown that an increase in water intake leads to a decrease in fat deposits retained and vice versa. Why? The kidneys can’t function properly without sufficient water. Then some of the workload is dumped onto the liver making it less able to metabolize fats. When you are properly hydrated more fat is used as fuel because the liver is free to metabolize stored fat efficiently. Water maintains healthy muscle tone by easing their natural ability to contract. This prevents sagging skin that follows weight loss because the shrinking cells are filled with water. HEADACHES Headaches are among the most common symptoms of dehydration. One theory is the water shortage causes an imbalance of sodium and potassium in your head causing it to be very stingy with its water thus increasing the pressure. The cure: drink more water;

Text Box: even for those alcohol-induced headaches. FATIGUE The fatigue fighting power of water is attributed to a healthy functioning kidney. A 5% drop in body water can lead to a 25% loss of energy. KIDNEY STONES Obviously a lack of water is going to increase the ratio of solid matter and liquid in our system. This lack of water can cause a back up in our “plumbing”. If the waste in our body is too solid our body will have a difficult time disposing of it. Drinking water will make it easier for our body to dispose of waste. CANCER AND DEGENERATIVE DISEASE There is some speculation that lots of water can decrease your chance of getting disease. Though a mechanism for this is uncertain, one idea is that the toxins get washed through our system much quicker when we are well hydrated and have less time to cause damage. BEAT THE HEAT The last and maybe most obvious reason to drink water…the body needs water so it can cool itself by sweating. TIPS TO DRINKING ENOUGH WATER The recommended daily intake of water is eight 8-ounce glasses. Another recommendation is to drink half your weight (pounds) in ounces of water. How many do you drink? HELPFUL HINTS: · Drink a glass before your morning cup of coffee. · Drink a glass with your daily vitamins. · Drink a glass after brushing your teeth. ----------3 down…5 to go---------- · Keep water within reach all day at work or school.

Text Box: · Throw back a glass for each cocktail, beer, or caffeinated beverage. · Drink an extra ounce of water for every degree above 64 degrees F outside. · Guzzle extra water if you exercise. Weigh yourself before and after exercise. For every pound lost, drink a pint (16oz or 2 cups) of water. IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT WATER: · Thirst is not an accurate indicator of how much you should drink. Once you’re thirst mechanism kicks in, you are already dehydrated. Drink water before you become thirsty. · If you purify the water in your household, you may notice an increase in the amount of water you and your family drink. If the tap water tastes bad, it often gets replaced with other drinks like soda. · Water is the best “prescription” for you. · SO DRINK MORE WATER! HALF YOUR WEIGHT IN OUNCES OF WATER! OR 8 IS GREAT! For more information on the health benefits of water go to: www.watercure.com.