Friday, January 31, 2014

STAY HYDRATED



We can go without food for months but not more than 2-3 days without water. With hundreds of medical data, the impact of water on human health is proven, yet majority of the population remains unaware and uneducated about the subject. Most take too little water that they are in Chronic Unintentional dehydration (CUD). Similar to our planet Earth, 75% of human body is water. Water is crucial for life and survival. Sign of life in any planet is water.

In his sensational book titled ‘Your body’s many cries for water’ (1992) Dr Fereydoon Batamanghelidj goes to the extent of stating that “you are not sick, but thirsty”. As a physician who was a political prisoner for 3 years, he treated 3000 fellow prisoners with peptic ulcers with drinking water, dedicated his life to explore the role of water metabolism in human body. He suggested that the body indicates water shortage by pain (back pain, rheumatoid pain, migraine etc) He has emphasized the medical significance of water in the treatment and prevention of multiple sclerosis, high BP, depression, peptic ulcers, cravings, premature ageing, weight gain, asthma and allergies.

Many health challenges can be corrected by enough water intake and hence “don’t treat thirst with medication”. Adequate water intake helps clensing by regular flushing out of toxins from the body. Water maintains high energy, ensures strong immune system and keeps the skin vibrant.

How much?

How much water you need to consume depends on body size, age, physical activity, climate and overall health. As a thumb rule we can say that you need 8-10 glasses of water (2lit/day), but what I would suggest is to start listening to your body. Dry mouth is not always the first indication of dehydration. So don’t wait until you feel thirsty. CUD is indicated by tightness, contracted feel, headaches, tensed feel, cravings and sweating. On the other hand sufficient hydration is indicated by light, airy and expanded energy feel of the water system. Your body also has a HYDROSTAT (similar to the thermostat). Chronically Dehydrated people have a low hydrostat. Hence when you initially  increase your water intake, you may produce more urine/output but don’t worry,  slowly the body will tune your hydrostat to a more healthy level, retaining more water.
Note- Too much of water in the evenings can disrupt your sleep and can affect mind balance.




What to drink?

From the different options we have like well water, tap water, bottled, mineral and filtered water, the best bet is boiled filtered water. Bottled water has seen a surge in popularity recently but we need to consider the plastic bottle’s impact on the environment. Soda, tea, coffee, alcohol and energy drinks contain dehydrating agents and thus produces the opposite of the desired result. Toxicity with chlorine, fluoride, lead, mercury, cadmium etc need to be considered while selecting the water source.


  1. Start a day with 2 glasses of water. You may add a squeeze of lemon, cucumber, mint, herbs, pineapple or honey.
  2. Keep hydrated by regularly sipping from morning to night. Your body cells need to be always bloated with water. Avoid water intake ½ hours before and after meals
  3. Carry a good quality water bottle while you travel and work.
  4. Include more green tea, juices of fruits and vegetables, soups in your daily diet. Water present in vegetables and fruit juices have a higher electronic charge


Many times, myself and my clients have experimented this mega nutrient named water. The single and simplest change in the daily routine that one can make is to STAY HYDRATED and it can bring in profound improvements in your health.