Should you really drink more water?
The new “water-drinking culture”
In the last ten to twenty years we have been told by health care professionals, GPs, therapists, chiropractors and those who practise complementary medicine- that we should drink more water or our health will suffer. Their mantra is “Drink more water” and the recommended amount is usually at least 8 glasses to 2 litres per day. Their solution for tiredness, back pain, headaches, insomnia etc. is to drink more water. Do we really need so much water to stay healthy? All of a sudden every body carries a bottle of water wherever they go but is it necessary?
What are the benefits of water?
The body’s water makes up 75% of the total body weight, is the principal constituent of all body chemical substances, (blood, lymph, tissue fluid, salivary juice, gastric juice, bile, sweat, etc.) and all excretory fluids. The water we drink replaces the bodily fluids that we lose every day and is, of course, used to cool down our system when it is over-heated, in hot weather, for example when we perspire or after excessive exercise or when suffering from diarrhoea, fever or hot flushes or even after too much pungent food. Water has no nutritional value, nor any internal cleansing powers.
Too much water, what can it do?
In France recently a lady was apparently so obsessed with drinking a lot of water that she actually over-loaded her system, saturated her lungs and drowned, she died of water intoxication. Water intoxication results from the consumption of large quantities of water or, in cases of kidney malfunction, when urinary secretion is reduced. This is, of course, an extreme example, but excessive water intake can also cause headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and convulsions, among other problems. Naturally the more we drink the more we have to urinate and urine contains salt and hormones. Salt is an energy source and a cleansing agent which has a tenderising effect, protecting the organs. Drinking too much water causes exhaustion of the kidneys and the bladder subsequently leading to the build-up of minerals (gall & kidney stones) Through frequent urination we lose more vital chemicals-it is the “river of no return” the urine becomes clearer but not because there are no more toxins in the body. In Traditional Chinese medicine, the urine of a healthy body should be slightly yellow. If it is clear, this indicates that the body is suffering from a cold or some kind of deficiency.
Bad advice
Many doctors and therapists consider that constipation is the result of not drinking enough water and advises drinking more water to ease constipation, but water goes through the kidneys to the bladder and not to the colon or bowel. Too much water in the stomach can only cause embarrassment. It releases oxygen from the water resulting in belching and other digestive problems such as a bloated stomach. The notion that drinking a prescribed amount of water per day will cure a myriad of problems is similar to the idea that stress is the cause of many common illnesses - water is merely a placebo.
I recently read in a news paper that we should take 5 pints of water a day, three of which should be obtained by drinking and the other two from the food we eat. This suggestion is disturbing because if we obtained two pints of water from our food, we would be grossly over-eating and overweight. More harmful advice from the same article suggested that we should drink before we feel thirsty. Instinctively if our body needs water, it will give out signals, such as thick saliva, dry lips and throat and a feeling of thirst. Too much water doesn’t taste sweet any more it only causes imbalance and disharmony.
Good Advice
Intake of water is determined principally by the sense of thirst. Excessive intake may lead to water intoxication. Therefore you should understand the working of your own body- if you’re not hungry, don’t eat-if you are not thirsty, don’t drink. Food and drink maintain health and balance, excess causes upset.
What are the benefits of water?
The body’s water makes up 75% of the total body weight, is the principal constituent of all body chemical substances, (blood, lymph, tissue fluid, salivary juice, gastric juice, bile, sweat, etc.) and all excretory fluids. The water we drink replaces the bodily fluids that we lose every day and is, of course, used to cool down our system when it is over-heated, in hot weather, for example when we perspire or after excessive exercise or when suffering from diarrhoea, fever or hot flushes or even after too much pungent food. Water has no nutritional value, nor any internal cleansing powers.
Too much water, what can it do?
In France recently a lady was apparently so obsessed with drinking a lot of water that she actually over-loaded her system, saturated her lungs and drowned, she died of water intoxication. Water intoxication results from the consumption of large quantities of water or, in cases of kidney malfunction, when urinary secretion is reduced. This is, of course, an extreme example, but excessive water intake can also cause headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and convulsions, among other problems. Naturally the more we drink the more we have to urinate and urine contains salt and hormones. Salt is an energy source and a cleansing agent which has a tenderising effect, protecting the organs. Drinking too much water causes exhaustion of the kidneys and the bladder subsequently leading to the build-up of minerals (gall & kidney stones) Through frequent urination we lose more vital chemicals-it is the “river of no return” the urine becomes clearer but not because there are no more toxins in the body. In Traditional Chinese medicine, the urine of a healthy body should be slightly yellow. If it is clear, this indicates that the body is suffering from a cold or some kind of deficiency.
Bad advice
Many doctors and therapists consider that constipation is the result of not drinking enough water and advises drinking more water to ease constipation, but water goes through the kidneys to the bladder and not to the colon or bowel. Too much water in the stomach can only cause embarrassment. It releases oxygen from the water resulting in belching and other digestive problems such as a bloated stomach. The notion that drinking a prescribed amount of water per day will cure a myriad of problems is similar to the idea that stress is the cause of many common illnesses - water is merely a placebo.
I recently read in a news paper that we should take 5 pints of water a day, three of which should be obtained by drinking and the other two from the food we eat. This suggestion is disturbing because if we obtained two pints of water from our food, we would be grossly over-eating and overweight. More harmful advice from the same article suggested that we should drink before we feel thirsty. Instinctively if our body needs water, it will give out signals, such as thick saliva, dry lips and throat and a feeling of thirst. Too much water doesn’t taste sweet any more it only causes imbalance and disharmony.
Good Advice
Intake of water is determined principally by the sense of thirst. Excessive intake may lead to water intoxication. Therefore you should understand the working of your own body- if you’re not hungry, don’t eat-if you are not thirsty, don’t drink. Food and drink maintain health and balance, excess causes upset.
To learn more about my practice and teachings, visit my website at www.barehandsdoctor.com.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or instruction. The information provided here is insufficient to conduct any form of treatment, exercise, or to provide any advice. Master Wong accepts no responsibility or liability for the use of the techniques described or ideas discussed within this website or any outcomes or result. Always consult a doctor before undertaking any bodywork or exercise. The Bare Hands Doctor is a trade name. Master Wong is not a medical doctor.
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