Who doesn’t have a water bottle these days?
It’s a thing!!
And recently I have noticed that water bottles are getting bigger and bigger. Why is that? The direct correlation between the increasingly dry over processed diet and the increased consumption or rather trend for drinking more water. As if the diet is OK as long as you got the water to balance this.
This is all very new. We are drinking more water than ever before, everyone is doing it. But like lots of common modern life habits, it doesn’t mean these are a good idea.
Let’s have a look at some of the current water myths and some interesting facts.
Why are we more thirsty?
- The western diet in modern times has became increasingly drier.
- More baked foods, like bread, cakes, pizza.
- Salty over processed food.
- Snacks, crisps, nuts.
- Industrial foods that contain high levels of toxins.
- Artificial indoor environments.
- More stress, more sweat.
Thirst plays a central role in the regulation of how much water you need to drink to stay hydrated.
Your brain sensors are constantly testing your blood to see if there’s the right amount of salt , and if you need more water. Thirst is a message from the brain to drink water.
If you drink too much water , the sensors detect your blood is too watery and send a message to your kidneys that you need to pee.
Just like hunger is a message from the brain your need food. You don’t need to constantly eat, when the body needs food it will tell you.
Interesting unsubstantiated myths;
- Drink at least 2 litres of water a day/ 8 glasses. There is no evidence to support this.
- Drinking more water flushes out toxins, this is not the case nor will excess water help your kidneys.
- Drink a glass of water before eating food, stops you eating too much. Yes it does stop you eating as you feel full but it is not a recommended health option. This has an adverse effect on your digestion as it dilutes the digestive enzymes in the stomach.
- If your thirsty, your already dehydrated. Thirst is the brain telling the body it needs water, not a direct sign of dehydration
- You cant drink too much water. This is literally true however excess water is just more peeing.
- Water is the key to hydration. Food like citrus fruits, chia seeds are more hydrating. Coffee and tea are equally hydrating as water.
Interesting facts:
- Approx 20% of our fluid intake comes from food high in water.
- Water makes up over half our body weight.
- Water makes up the majority of our cells and blood,
- Flushes out waste through urine.
- Regulates our body temperature. Cools our body.
- Dehydration can impair memory, attention, concentration and other cognitive abilities.
- Too little water and our cells shrivel from dehydration.
- Too Much water and our cells swell up from hyponatremia.
Interesting facts about drinking water standing, drinking water on the go!!
- Drinking water while standing is bad for you, Lets look at the facts…
- The water passes too quickly through the body; it interrupts the oxygen levels and poses a risk to heart and lungs.
- While standing it will rush unfiltered into your stomach with too much force, the pollutants could then collect in your bladder endangering kidneys.
- Causing indigestion as the water passes too quickly and forcefully through the food canal and directly lands in the stomach.
- Can cause excess fluids in the joints, absolute no go for arthritis.
Benefits of drinking sitting down:
- When we sit the kidneys filter the water easier.
- Sitting down and drinking water just like eating allows the nutrients to enter the brain and boost brain activity .
- Our bodies are designed so that sitting down in an upright position has the greatest health benefits..
- Promotes digestion
- Ensures you don’t feel bloated.
- Ensures that the organs receive all the benefits, your health improves as toxins are flushed out and pollutants are removed more effectively.
Just like the food we eat, how much water you need to drink is based on your body size, your activity level, the temperature and how much you are sweating.
This blog post is not a medical recommendation, simply a look at the myths and facts surrounding current water consumption trends.
