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The optimal water intake for individuals varies widely, and a person's requirements can be different from one day to the next. Although thirst is an important indicator of need, not everyone is in touch with his or her own thirst and most people do not drink enough water and the natural instinct to drink it has to be relearned. Insufficient water consumption causes toxicity of the body as well as constipation, tension, tightness, overeating, dryness, kidney damage, headaches and other symptoms. Those on diets of rich meat (which is most of us in the west) usually have insufficient body fluids. Vegetarians tend to fare better because their diet is made up of about 90% water, although vegetarians who eat a lot of salty food, drink little and eat grains cooked in minimal water may also suffer. Most, though certainly not all people should increase their fluid intake, but to recommend a healthy amount for everyone is impossible without consideration of individual circumstances. However, as a rule of thumb aiming to drink 2 litres of water per day should be beneficial. Tap water varies in quality in different parts of the UK and some authorities fluoridate the water. If you are unsure about water quality, then drink bottled water. Further information can be obtained from The National Pure Water Association. When increasing water intake, please do not drink large quantities 30 minutes before meal or an hour after meals as this can dilute the digestive enzymes and secretions which means that food nutrients are not efficiently extracted. When water is taken with meals then it is best that it be warm and only a few ounces. There is very little research done in the health properties of water, probably because there is no money to be made as it is not patentable! However, the following research provides some insight into its health value: Research carried out at Lorna Linda University in southern California have shown a association between daily water intake and the risk of dying from heart disease. A 6-year follow-up was carried out on over 8000 men and over 12000 women enrolled in the Adventist Health Study in 1976, who were all aged 38 or older and were free of heart disease, stroke and diabetes at the time of enrolment. It was found that men who drank 5 or more glasses of water a day had less than half the risk of dying from heart disease compared to men who drank two or fewer glasses. Following the same criteria, women showed a 40% reduction. Consumption of other liquids such as milk, tea, coffee, juice and carbonated soft drinks however showed a 1.5 times greater risk among men, rising to 2.5 times greater among women. Whole blood viscosity , plasma viscosity, hematocrit, and fibrinogen are considered independent risk factors for coronary heart disease and can be elevated by dehydration, whilst consumption of juices and carbonated drinks has been shown to result in a rapid increase in blood viscosity. (American Journal o Epidemiology 2002, Chan et al. 155(9):827) A Japanese researcher has produced some incredible results from photographing water molecules and crystals after the water has been exposed to varies stimuli. The book is called "The Message from Water" by Masaru Emoto. Excerpts from the book can be viewed on http://www.wellnessgoods.com/messages.asp and I really recommend you have a look. |