With the incredible temperatures we are experiencing this summer, the need to drink to keep hydrated is essential to avoid fainting, drowsiness, light-headedness and lack of energy.
Some years ago, I read a book by a medical doctor, Dr Batmanghelidj who has spent a large part of his life looking at chronic disease from a totally different perspective. Born in Iran, educated in the UK and practiced in Tehran where, during the 1979 revolution he was imprisoned awaiting trial. It was during this time that he discovered the healing powers of plain water by prescribing a single glass for a prisoner dying of acute stomach pain. The man recovered and Dr Batmanghelidj saved his own life by presenting a research paper on water to the presiding judge, who gave a shorter sentence so he could expand his study on the subject.
On his release in 1982 he moved to the USA where he set up the “Foundation for the Simple in Medicine” in order to communicate his discovery about the importance of water in the human body to maintain bodily functions and systems. He linked dehydration as a key factor in causing and/or worsening many chronic illnesses.
The role of water in the body of all living species, humans included has not changed since the earliest creation of life in water. As life emerged from the water and became more land oriented all species developed a refined body-water-preservation system and drought management system, which has become permanent with time. It is this system that is heavily dependent on water intake to ensure all bodily functions are running smoothly.
The human body is made up of 75% water and 25% solid matter. Brain tissue is 85% water. When cells in the body are starved of water they start to complain manifesting in different reactions. It is these reactions, according to Dr Batmanghelidj that lead to chronic disease.
The body needs water for many reasons to keep you healthy. It does not simply quench your thirst, it keeps your tissues hydrated and keeps them from drying and shriveling up, very much like a grape to a raisin. It keeps the body temperature regulated and blood flowing. Water enables your body to excrete waste through perspiration, urination and defecation. Often constipation is a sign of drinking an inadequate amount of water. Urination is one of the ways that the body removes toxins from the blood by filtering through the kidneys. On waking in the morning, most people will have a darker colour urine than later in the day as the body, simply because when you are sleeping your intake of water decreases. After going to the bathroom, look at the colour of your urine. If it is very pale yellow to light yellow, you’re well hydrated. Brown or cola-coloured urine is a medical emergency, and you should seek medical attention. Get into the habit of drinking a large glass of room temperature water on waking to help rehydrate yourself after sleep.
Water helps in the process of digestion, keeping the digestive juices flowing to ensure absorption of nutrients from food into the blood stream to circulate to the many millions of cells. Water is a huge component of the blood, if becoming dehydrated your blood becomes more concentrated leading to an imbalance in electrolytes, sodium, potassium, and others. Electrolytes are necessary for proper functioning of your muscles and heart. Dehydration can also affect blood volume, causing you to become light-headed and possibly wobbly when standing up due to lowered blood pressure.
Feel like you are losing concentration and focus? This might simply be your body telling you that your brain is dehydrated. When working always keep a glass of water at your workstation and in your vehicle, if you are travelling long distances or have a job that involves driving to sip at regular intervals, preventing you feeling light-headed and even irritable.
In our world today we are surrounded by choice. Why would water be interesting? We are so quick to make that “cuppa”, pour that glass of juice, or soda, mistakenly thinking that many are a good source of water. In some instances, this is true, however while containing water also contain dehydrating agents, sugar and additives, thus removing water from the body’s reserves and with time depleting the overall system.
Assuming Dr Batmanghelidj is right, giving children fizzy drinks and juices instead of a simple glass of water begins the dehydration process early in life. This habit creates an habitual process and an accustomed taste, automatically quashing the urge to drink water. How does dehydration impact the developing mind and body? Does this have a link to the escalation in chronic diseases that we are seeing?
The thirst sensation in the mouth, is an indicator that the body requires water, just as you would feel hunger in the stomach. Comparing this to your car, when needing petrol, the fuel gauge lights up or beeps when close to empty, or the arrow sits in the red “danger” zone. If not filling up soon, the engine simply stops. My point is the thirst sensation is already like your car the last cry for fuel!
To keep yourself hydrated and your mind and body healthy drink a minimum of 1.5 litres of water daily. If you are an active person, have some form of manual work, or work in hot temperatures such as a kitchen or laundry drink a minimum of 2 litres daily. You will also take in fluids through eating fruits and vegetables, but this is not sufficient to stay hydrated and does not replace plain water.
To help consume this volume, drink a large glass of water on waking, always have a glass of water close by to sip on throughout the day, not waiting for the thirst sign of a dry mouth to tell you that it is time to drink something. This means you are already de-hydrated!
References:
The Bodies Many Cries for Water, Dr Batmanghedlidj
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