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Water - Why It's Good To Drink 8 Glasses A Day

by: MariaEsposito
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Normally, approximately 2.5 litres of water is required daily for a fairly sedentary adult in a normal environment to replace the total loss of water that occurs though urine, faeces, skin and lungs.

This water loss needs to be replaced. One litre or so needs to be as water or other non dehydrating fluids such as cold herbal teas. A little under a litre will come from food intake. The body also makes about 300ml through its own oxidative metabolic processes.

Problems that arise from not drinking enough water is as follows.

1. Pulse rate and rectal temperature increases

2. Increase in respiration

3. Experience numbness and tingling in the fingers and toes

4. Blood concentration increases

5. Diminution of blood volume and more difficult circulation

Problems and inadequacies of the circulatory system under conditions of inadequate fluid intake leads to:

1. breathing problems

2. gastric upsets

3. feelings of sickness and not wanting to eat

4. if it continues, muscular and emotional problems

In an animal study, where water was restricted the animals were highly irritable and in some cases bad tempered.

Thirst

It has been shown that under intense activity a man will voluntarily drink only about half as much water as what is needed to replace his losses from sweating and urine. Only after food and rest does a person crave the water needed to replace the deficit.

Hot Drinks

Ingestion of hot drinks may cause internal body temperature to rise, which will result in sweating in order to cool the body down. Hot drinks are sometimes used in medical practice when it is desired either to temporarily increase body temperature of induce sweating. Therefore cold or cool drinks are preferred to hot drinks to replace fluid during the day, especially if the hot drinks are the only fluid daily intake.

Drinks containing sugar

During periods of physical activity that last under an hour and a half, water is the preferred choice. However drinks that contain a small amount of carbohydrate can sustain power better than water alone during activities that would create fatigue in an hour or longer.

About the Author

For a fuller version of this article please go to the alternative medicine website. Maria is a london nutritionist who specialises in the treatment of allergic disorders. She has worked in the complementary medical field for over a decade.

Water - Why It's Good To Drink 8 Glasses A Day

About the Author

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