Why Drink Water? (long)

cathe4me2

Cathlete
Hi Everyone,
I just read an article about why we need to drink water, especially to lose weight. It was so interesting to me, I thought I might share some of the highlites with you.
Under the heading Drink Water to Lose Weight
The three reasons were
1. Water has no calories, is fat-free and cholesterol-free and low in sodium
2. It is an appetite suppressant
3. Water helps the body to metabolize stored fat. When the kidneys do not have enough water, they cannot function properly. The liver steps in as a backup, but this hinders its ability to metabolize fat effectively. The fat remains stored in the body and you gain weight.

quoting from Dr. Donald Robertson of the Southwest Bariatric Nutrition Center in Scottsdale Arizona, he says proper water intake is a key to weight loss. If people who are trying to lose weight don't drink enough water, the body can't metabolize the fat adequately.
The article goes on to say:
Yet many who are prone to water retention think it best not to drink water. The opposite is true. When the body experiences a water deficit, it attempts to hold on to every available drop by storing it in such places as the feet, hands, and the legs. And- the more salt you eat, the more water you will retain to dilute it.

We lose approximately one pint of liquid everyday just by exhaling. If the water is not replaced we will become deydrated. Some signs of dehydration are headache, fatigue, muscle soreness, dark urine, heat intolerance and dry mouth and eyes.

Dr. Howard Flaks, a bariatric (obesity) specialist says The minimum for a healthy person is 8-10 eight ounce glasses a day. You need more if you exercise a lot or live in a hot climate. Overweight people should drink an extra glass for every 25 pounds they exceed their ideal weight.

How about fruit juices and caffine beverages?
Fruit and vegetable juices diluted with water are good, yet they are not calorie free. Liquids loaded with sugar and milk increase the body's need for water.
Alcohol and caffine-containing beverages are mildly diruretic making the need to drink more water for what is excreted.
There is just no substitute for water.
********
I hope it was okay for me to post this info.? (copyrights) I don't have a scanner so I had to type it out. If any of you would like a copy of this article, I'd be happy to send it to you (free) just for the cost of the stamps. :D
 
Thanks Wanda!! It's always great to read and re-read why we need to do things that are good for us!!

Kim
 
What a great article Wanda!
Thanks for taking the time to type it in for all of us to read :D
I love water ! ! !
In fact I think I'm going to get a glass right now!

susan
 
I'm happy that you enjoyed this article. I certainly learned a few things from it. :D
I think we often overlook drinking enough water, especially when new to working out and trying to lose weight. The mindset is we need to get rid of the weight, not add to it by drinking so much water. Yet as this article said, water is needed to rid the body of toxins, and it helps the body to metabolize, among other things.

The article helped me to realize that drinking iced tea, even though decaffinated, does not take the place of water. For one trying to gain some muscle definition, this was a wake up call for me. :D
 
Thanks for the great info. I have a water bottle that I always keep filled. I try to drink as much as I can, and this helps me not to forget. :7
 
"I don't yike it!" (quote from my kids);-)

I really don't like drinking water. If I drank what I was to drink for my over weight body I'd be drinking 10.5 glasses everyday. I will start back on the water but I'm not promising anything.:+

Sheila
 
Hi Sheila,
You might add a slice of lemon to your glass of water. It gives the water a fresh taste and if nothing else, it makes the glass look elegant. LOL
 
Hi Sheila,
I wouldn't sweat it (no pun intended). Actually, I read in the New York Times last summer that there is little scientific evidence to support the a statement that a person needs to drink 6-8 glasses a day.
As it turns out,(because water in food had not been accounted for previously) water requirements are less than what has been touted for years. Also, the "if you wait until you are thirsty you are already dehydrated" statement is just not true.
I guess there has been some concern that people have been overhydrating and ending up with electrolyte imbalances (namely hyponatremeia-- low sodium-- which can induce seizures.)
If you are eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and drinking SOME water, I don't think you need to worry about getting 10.5 glasses a day. I do think it is better to drink water than fruit juices and sodas (that includes diet sodas especially!), however. That is just my feeling, though.
 

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