I have recently become interested in Hydration and the effects it has the body. I have suffered over the years in what I think is a lack of good hydration. I suffered a blod clot in my leg a in 2005 it was put down to lack of hydration following reffing a number of rugby matches over a short period of time in hot weather. I was terrible at not drinking enough during and straight after games unless of course it was few pints in the bar. I was also diagnosed with Bladder Cancer just over a year ago again there have been links with lack of hydration and it’s increase in the risk of this decease and other cancers.
The NHS website states we should have at least 8 glasses of water a day or at least 2 liters for men. I would suggest most of us need more. I feel coffee and tea can have the opposite effect on our system although can provide a small amount of hydration. I also understand once you have more than a couple of pints of beer or cider then it has the opposite effect on the system.
If you exercise or have a physical job then you need even more hydration. How important is hydration well it cleans and fuels the body and with out water we would die. I guess that makes it important. I would also suggest we try and have good water and while tap water in most cases is safe to drink it does contain chlorine and other chemicals which could be harmful to the body. I try in most cases to drink filtered water or bottled water. If you buy bottled water buy it with a decent PH rating and Buxton which is cheap is pretty good so does not have to cost very much.
The human body is made up of around 60% water and helps move product and waste around the body so its logical that is good for you. If you think about it in simple terms you really do not want waste product sitting around in the body. Water also acts as an anti inflammatory again this is so important and has serious consequences on many diseases.
Water of course does just come from drinking’ it comes from food as well. However the diet in the UK for many is quite poor. It’s high in fat and salt again all act to dehydrate the body. We do need salts and fats of course which seems a contradiction but again its good fats and small amounts of salt.
In the west much of our food is processed and often contains various other products that might not be so good for us in terms of the effect they on our bodies. It makes sense to keep well hydrated and wash these out in simple terms.
A diet high in fruit and Vegetables will provide more water than a diet made up from fast foods or a diet low in fruit and vegetables. How many of us wake after a few beers and a takeaway with a raging thirst and headache in most cases it because we are dehydrated.
If you pee is dark or as they say the colour of a strong cup of tea then you are likely not to be drinking enough water.
One of the other benefits of drinking plenty of water is that it can help with weight loss. its often the case we eat instead of drinking water. I normally start my day off with a Pint of water at room temp sometimes with a fresh lemon squeezed into it. I take a 1 L of water to work plus I will have some tea as well.
I then drink a couple more pints later in the day with my meal and also have a smoothie made with fruit and veg plus some water so. If I am exercising I will drink more.
My Rumblings 