Pride News Canada's Leader In African Canadian & Caribbean News, Views & Lifestyle
By Dr. Virginia Nsitem
Pride Health Columnist
Every New Year, resolutions are made…and many are broken before the end of January! This year, each month I will write about how we can improve our health simply and effectively. This month I will talk about the benefits of water.
Why is water important?
Water makes up about 60% of our body weight. It helps to flush toxins from our system, helps to deliver vital nutrients to our body and it helps keep tissues in our ears, nose and mouth moist.
How much water do I need in a day?
We have all heard the advice to consume 8 glasses of water per day. This is partially true. The amount of water you need to consume also depends on your health status and your activity level. It is important to remember that we lose water when we breathe and sweat, and of course with bowel and bladder functions. The water we lose daily must be replenished. Some studies suggest that men consume 13 cups of fluid per day and that women consume 9 cups of fluid per day. The key to remember is that the recommendation is for FLUID. Fruits and vegetables contain water and milk and juice contain water. A healthy broth-based soup is another way to consume fluid. In addition, drinking teas daily can help with your fluid intake. It is easy to get your recommended fluid intake if you remember to drink a glass of water during and after each meal.
Signs of dehydration
Although it is possible to drink too much water- this is a rare health concern. It is more likely that you may be a little dehydrated and below are a few sings that you need to grab a glass of water:
- Feeling thirsty
- Feeling weak and tired
- Feeling dizzy or faint
- Dry sticky mouth
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Low urine output
My spine and water
It is important to remember that water is important for the spine and muscles. The discs of the spine act as shock absorbers. These discs consist largely of water and this keeps them nice and spongy so that they can absorb the stress we put on the spine. In addition, muscles are composed of water and require proper hydration to reduce the chance of cramping.
Water is important for all the processes in our bodies, the spine and the muscles. A good way to improve your health and protect your spine is to consume the recommended amount of fluid daily!
Dr. Virginia Nsitem is a chiropractor specializing in laser therapy for muscle, joint and nerve injuries, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences in Canada. She may be reached at (905) 275-4993, or by email at totalhealth@bellnet.ca.
