We all know we should drink plenty of water on a regular basis, yet still, many of us do not seem to make it a priority in our day. Winter months seem to leave us more dehydrated... perhaps because that cool glass of water doesn't seem quite as quenching as it does during the hot humid summer months. The most vivid expression of the importance of water is watching two plants - one with water and one without. A watered plant stands taller, has more dramatic colors and frankly simply looks healthier. Two plants, of the same seed can appear dramatically different in health and age. How does this apply to us? Read on.
The majority of our body consists of water and it is required for many normal body and cell functions. Specifically, bones are 25%, muscles 75%, our brain is 76% and our blood is 82% water! For the body to have such a high portion of water, it must have some important role in health and survival. In fact, water is an essential component for digestion, nutrient absorption, has an important role in circulation, regulates body temerpature, lubricates and cushions joints, keeps skin healthy and removes toxins from the body (www.mercola.com).
Is there more to it than just drinking more water though? There are definitely a few considerations because too much of anything - even water - is not always a good thing. It has been recommended to drink water at room temperature or slightly chilled if that is more appealing to you. Drinking ice cold may alter digestion since it must be warmed in the digestive tract before it is absorbed,causing it to stay in the stomach longer. Drinking large portions of water at one time can also affect the digestive tract by overstraining our internal muscles, so to reach your daily water requirement, best to consume it moderately throughout the day. Remember, as a general rule of thumb, the formula for water intake is:
Body weight (lbs)/2= Daily Water Requirements (oz.)
It is recommended to drink water from a glass or stainless steel container when possible to reduce the amount of toxins you may consume from certain plastic containers. A good general rule of thumb is to look for the #7 on the bottom of a plastic bottle. Anything less than 7 should be avoided. The chemical of concern is known as Bisphenol A (BPA). It has been linked to changes in the reproductive system by mimicking effects of naturally occurring estrogen. Research findings have found a link with enlarged prostate, reduced testosterone, pre-cancerous breast cells, prostate cancer, early puberty onset in females and hyperactivity. It is still likely more beneficial to drink water out of plastic than not at all. If plastic water bottles are the only option for you at a given time, we recommend choosing a popular brand of water. Why? Because these water bottles are replenished more frequently, thus have spent a shorter amount of time bottled on the shelf.
Dr. Jason Plotsky
