Water ... Drink to Your Health

You are not sick, you are thirsty for water! So says Dr. F. Batmanghelidj in his book, Your Body’s Many Cries for Water. Obesity, asthma, arthritis, and depression, plus a host of other ailments, may all be symptoms of the same problem – dehydration.

The human body is 75% water. It’s no wonder that we need water – lots of it – for our bodies to function properly.

How much is enough? Experts disagree, but the minimum recommendation is usually 48 ounces a day. Some say the optimum amount is one once of water per pound of body weight – if you weigh 128 pounds you need 128 ounces (one gallon!) of water every day.

Coffee and sodas, and even juice beverages, don’t count. The caffeine, sugars, or other substances in them are said to counteract the water benefit. They may also be diuretics that actually cause your body to lose water. Some authorities say only plain tap or bottled water counts, while others include herbal teas and seltzer water.

How do you get enough water into your daily diet? Try one of these simple systems.

First thing in the morning, fill a container with your water for the day. You might use a water pitcher or large recycled juice bottle. Keep a glass or smaller bottle of water with you, drinking throughout the day. Refill it as needed from the large container. When the big container is empty, you know you’ve met your goal for the day.

Another method is to drink a glass of water at specific times throughout the day. If you want to drink 48 ounces of water a day, you might follow this schedule, drinking an eight ounce glass of water at each of the six designated times:

1. First thing in the morning

2. Mid-morning (perhaps replacing your coffee break coffee)

3. With lunch

4. Mid-afternoon (perhaps replacing your afternoon soda)

5. With dinner

6. Before going to bed

I don’t have medical proof that drinking plenty of water prevents or cures medical conditions, but I do know from personal experience that I feel better when I drink at least a half gallon of water a day. It’s cheap. It’s easy. It’s a simple way to relax, refresh, and recharge.

Cheers! To our health! Won’t you join me in hoisting a tall glass of water?

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