Conventional science knows that the adult human body is made up of approximately 60 percent water, held mainly in the tissue cells. Different organs in the body need varying amounts of this liquid to function properly, including the heart, lungs, skin, eyes, brain, and even bones.
Women and men need from 2.5 liters to 3.5 liters per day of liquid depending on body weight and the amount of muscle tissue and adipose tissue. Knowing when and how much to drink is important. Someone who sweats a lot or feels thirsty needs to drink more water because at that point, the total body fluid balance is depleted by nearly two liters, and physiological performance is suffering. Drinking more is not necessarily the way to resolve this because you need to use wisdom to drink the right amount so that your body can make the best use of it.
Warning signs of dehydration
Not drinking enough water can cause physiological changes in the body. Dehydration occurs when the amount of water consumed as food and drink is insufficient, the temperature is very high, or someone is exercising heavily. Someone on prescription medication, such as diuretics, may also be at risk if they have an imbalance of fluid intake and urine output. Men can suffer damage to the prostate gland.
Symptoms of dehydration include a dry mouth and dark-colored urine, dizziness, irritability, and tiredness, possibly fainting. Babies, young children, and senior citizens suffer the effects of dehydration more quickly. A serious case will produce a build-up of toxins in the brain leading to neurotoxicity, coma, convulsions, and fits as the various organs and cells of the body cannot fully absorb nutrients and go into shutdown.
Excessive consumption of water
Drinking too much water can also hurt the body. Consuming too much in a short space of time, especially after exercising, can cause the cells to be flooded, washing away vital minerals necessary for cell metabolism — including sodium, magnesium, and potassium — leading to hyponatremia.
The symptoms are not dissimilar to dehydration and present initially as mild headaches, inattention, or weakness in the arms and legs. The more obvious symptoms are vomiting, irritability, lethargy, and other neurological symptoms. In extreme cases, there is also the risk of death from cardiac arrest, kidney failure, convulsions, and shock.
When drinking water, drink small mouthfuls regularly rather than in large amounts quickly; sip it during and after strenuous exercise when the temperature of the body rises and the body loses water and salts through sweating. The body will feel tired, and this way of drinking can replenish the missing body fluids.
During and after exercise, some people like to add electrolyte drops to help rehydrate the cells quicker than using water alone, helping to control a desire for rapid consumption. When unwell, drinking cooled, boiled water can enhance the body’s resistance and immunity, and has the ability to kill viral bacteria. This supports the good health of the body.
In general, water can regulate body temperature, promote blood circulation, reduce blood viscosity, and can effectively balance emotions and soothe the stomach. These are some of the reasons why it is good to use wisdom to drink this precious liquid throughout the day and night.
Translated by Yi Ming and edited by Helen
