Water is a basic necessity for life. The human body can only exist for 5-7 days without it. Many people think that as long as they are drinking fluids (coffee, tea, milk, juice) their body is receiving enough water. This is not true.
Blood is normally 94% water when the body is hydrated. The cells of the body should be 75% water. Water is the adhesive that binds solid parts of the cell together. “It is also the central regulator of energy and osmotic balance in the body.” (Your’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty) by F. Batmanghelidj, M.D.
Dr. Batmanghelidj feels that most Americans are dehydrated. One of the first symptoms of dehydration is the loss of the thirst sensation. He also thinks that many people mistake feelings of thirst as hunger. If this is true people may be overeating when it is simply water that the body craves. So whenever you feel hungry drink water before eating.
Listed below are symptoms of dehydration:
Anger, impatience, tired, flushed, irritability, anxious, depressed, snoring, not sleeping well, short attention spans, cravings for coffee, tea, soda, and alcohol
Possible health problems associated with dehydration:
People with normal heart and kidney functions should slowly increase their water intake by drinking two glasses water one-half hour before each meal. Then add one glass of water two and one-half hours after the meal. Also you increase your salt intake. For exact specifications please read You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty. Your goal should be to drink one-half your body weight in ounces. Do find this number, take your body weight and divide by two. This is the number of ounces you need to drink each day. Example: 140 lb. female should drink 70 ounces of water a day. If this seems impossible at least drink 8 8oz. glasses a day. You also need more water if you exercise a lot or live in a hot climate.
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