A Glass Apart

Water is nature8217;s answer to Viagra. Bet that statement grabbed your attention, it certainly did mine! Of course, we all know about the ...

Water is nature8217;s answer to Viagra. Bet that statement grabbed your attention, it certainly did mine! Of course, we all know about the benefits of drinking water, eight glasses a day and so on. We all know about how our bodies are like any other finely-lubed machines which need to be constantly hydrated. But not many of us are aware of a few interesting facts.

Did you know that sufficient hydration keeps our cognitive thinking clear and our reflexes fast? That8217;s because three-quarters of our brains are water and if we shorten the supply, we dull our senses. Our muscles need water, but so does our brain.

Water is a miracle cure and helps flush out toxins. Now that8217;s obvious enough.

But did you know studies have shown that good hydration helps prevent exercise-induced asthma and reduces the risk of kidney stones, bladder cancer, heart attacks and even strokes?

Water deficit can lead to fatigue. Water constitutes 75 per cent of your body, so even a slight shortage causes a serious deficit in your energy levels. An insufficient amount of water in your system causes a reduction in your blood volume, which means less oxygen gets to your working muscles.

Charlie Kyrie in The Healing Energies of Water explains that a two per cent loss in the water surrounding your cells can mean a 20 per cent decrease in energy levels.

In fact, some naturopaths and experts I spoke to believe that staying well-hydrated contributes to long term high-energy by helping relieve body aches, constipation, indigestion, ulcers and stress.

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There are actual signs of dehydration8212;clammy hands, headache, nausea, fatigue and even a light-headed feeling while moving from a lying or sitting position to standing up.

Handy Hints:
Drink two glasses of water first thing in the morning. It feels great and it helps cleanse the kidneys and detox your system.

Here8217;s a tip from Dr Bermanghelidj8217;s book Your Body8217;s Many Cries for Water. He recommends that you should drink at least half your body weight in ounces daily. So, if you weigh 140 pounds, then you should drink 70 ounces of water daily. No need to go around measuring that accurately, one gulp equals one ounce. So, the benchmark of a minimum of eight glasses a day, is more or less a good one. Avoid coffee and tea.

Don8217;t confuse hunger with thirst. Figure out what your body is craving for, drink a glass of water if you think you are hungry and see how you feel.

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If you must drink, then drink a glass of water with every glass of alcohol, to at least balance out the dehydrating effects of alcohol.

PS: For all those who are reading the piece looking for the Viagra-connection, here it is8212;when you drink enough water, it increases circulation and blood flow throughout the body, including the penis. 8216;8216;Dehydration decreases erectile performance,8217;8217; explains an expert. And it sure looks like it8217;s worth reaching for that extra glass of water, is it not?