QUESTION:

There has been a lot of contr0versy about how much water a person needs to drink daily. What is your opinion?

JV, from AZ

ANSWER:

How much water you should drink every day?

A recent National newscast stated that we did not need to drink water unless we are thirsty, but the problem is that many people do not recognize thirst and mistake it for hunger.  On this show some medical doctor stated we get enough in our fruits and vegetables. But other Doctors, such as Dr. Batamanghelidj, author of Your Body’s Many Cries for Water,  state otherwise. Macrobiotic theory does not promote excess water drinking. Their diet is well balanced in yin and yang, with adjustments for where they live, what season, consists of many more vegetables than a  Standard American Diet (SAD) and does not have excess yin and yang of sugar salt and coffee. From my clinical experience, many diets are deficient in fruits and vegetables. So obviously how much water is a controversial subject!

What I advise my clients is to divide their body weight in pounds by 1/2 and that equals the number of ounces of water needed per day. For example for a 150 lb. person  divided by 2 = 75 oz. per day. This is just a  guideline figure to be adjusted to suit you. Adjust according to YOUR level of activity, temperature, age and your diet. Pay attention to your body, keep in mind the  9 points below,  know the signs of dehydration and listen to your body!

 The Importance of Water

#1.    75% of North Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half the world population)

#2.    In 37% of North Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger.

#3.    Even MILD dehydration will slow down one’s metabolism as 3%. Water is necessary for digestion, circulation, hormonal reproduction, elimination, brain electrical activity, in fact most metabolic processes necessary for life.

#4.    One glass of water shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University  of Washington study.

#5.    Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue. Confusion, headaches and fuzzy thinking may be relieved by a glass of water.

#6.    Some research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers. This amount of course should depend on a number of factors I list above.

#7.    A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.

#8.    Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.

#9.     In people over age 50, the body’s thirst sensation diminishes and continues diminishing with age. Many senior citizens suffer symptoms of dehydration, which can affect thinking and moods.

This article is also in Benoit & Associates June, 2012 Health Newsletter.