Let’s all drink to better hydration

“The Water is the life blood of our Bodies” – The Algonquin Water Song

How interesting that the indigenous peoples seem to have a handle on life in ways that resonate and guide us in this often-challenging world of ours.

Water truly IS the life blood of our bodies, as we can survive for many days without food but just a very short time without water. I hope, dear readers, that you have never been in a situation where you have nearly died from lack of water. However, many of us do not realize that by the time we feel thirsty we are already dehydrated. The solution? Habituate yourself to drink water before the thirst sensation.

Bottled water is something that is very popular these days, and those plastic bottles sure have made their mark in the landfills! The long-term effect of this warrants a separate column, so we will just stick to the effect of the plastic bottles on our bodies for my purpose today.

In fact, not long ago I did pen a column referring to how the microplastic and nanoplastic elements affect both nature and our bodies. For my purpose today, I will share that there are 240,000 particles of nanoplastics in a liter-sized plastic bottle. The very tiny molecules are more dangerous than the microplastics because they are tiny enough to work their way into the bloodstream, the liver, and the brain.¹ Sorry! Remedy: Do not drink (or eat) out of plastic containers if you can avoid doing so.

Dehydration is a serious problem in our society. Most of us are rather bored with simply drinking water when there are so many other opportunities, like designer coffee, teas, wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages, a multiplicity of soda and carbonated beverage choices. One exception is herbal teas which do provide some important hydration.

Senior citizens are very prone to dehydration as many simply forget to drink water. Others may be busy or simply choosing not to drink water, or drinking unfiltered tap water, which may be contaminated with mold, pesticides, pharmaceutical drugs, heavy metals, and chemicals such as chlorine, which has been associated with increased colorectal cancer risk.²

What are some symptoms of underhydration? Among others, look for low energy, poor physical and mental performance, headaches, low blood pressure, constipation, joint pain, and balance issues, according to Michael Breus, PhD, author of Sleep Drink Breathe: Simple Daily Habits for Profound Long-Term Health.

Some ways that we can ensure that we are adequately hydrated are to drink the best quality of water available from non-plastic vessels, eating foods rich in water and fiber, and, of course, talking with your physician to best determine your necessary water intake based upon your age, weight, activity level, and other risk factors.

I have often heard it said that “drinking water is the fountain of youth” and I am all in! Most of us would not wait for the “low oil” alert on our auto displays. Let’s at least maintain our best self as we would our vehicles and enjoy sharper cognition, better digestion, and a longer and healthier lifespan. Let’s drink to that!

¹ Rapid single-particle chemical imaging of nanoplastics by SRS Microscopy. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2024 Jan 16

² Colorectal cancers and chlorinated water. World J Gastrointest Oncol. 2016 Apr 15

Sharon McMahon, CNWC

The opinions expressed in this article are not intended to replace advice of your personal physician or licensed health professional. Please consult your physician for any issues you may have related to nutrition or fitness activity.