Drinking To Health

By Nurul Halawati Mohamad Azhari KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (Bernama) -- It is often recommended that one should drink between six and eight glasses of plain water, or between 1.5 and two litres a day. The body cannot function optimally without proper hydration as it comprises approximately 70 percent of water. A person normally loses fluids through respiration, perspiration, urination and bowel movement. It is this loss that needs to be replaced daily to ensure efficient bodily functions. Water is also important to support the function of other systems like cell regeneration, blood and oxygen circulation to all body parts and to ease joint movements. However, those with problems like congestive heart failure or kidney failure have different fluid intake requirements than the recommended amount for healthy individuals, said DietFit Malaysia dietitian Mariam Amira Ahmad Radi. DRINK UP TO LOSE WEIGHT Those seeking to shed some kilos should also consider upping their intake of plain water as it can fast track their weight loss progress. "Plain water contains zero calories, making it the perfect drink for those seeking to shed weight. "The more plain water you drink, the less you will consume flavoured and sweetened drinks. This will indirectly lessen the amount of calories you consume in a day, easing your weight loss journey," she advised. However, the DietFit Malaysia team recommends that the generous consumption of plain water be complemented with a balanced diet particularly for those seeking to lose weight. Mariam Amira said that many chose to make up for their lack of water intake during the day at night. While this was not harmful to health, it could cause a person to wake up often at night to go to the toilet. This would affect the quality of sleep and in turn, their performance during the day, she said. DRINK FILTERED WATER However, there are claims that drinking too much water could be hazardous to health. The founder and managing director of water ionizer company VWA (M) Sdn Bhd, Dr Samantha Ng said the extremely rare condition was called 'water intoxication'. It occurs when a person consumes too much water in a short span of time. "When we drink too much water, the sodium content in our body's fluids becomes diluted, causing us to lose electrolytes, and this can be harmful to our health," she said. Today, purified water is said to be better for drinking than boiled water. "Our drinking water should be at least filtered first. Although our tap water has been treated with chlorine at the treatment plant, there are many more pollutants left in the water that is harmful to our health," she said. Rust, heavy metals and bacteria are among the pollutants that remain in the water supplied to our homes. Ng said among there were many types of filters in the market including reverse osmosis, multiple stage filtration systems and water ionizers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SIDEBAR A Guide to Increasing Daily Water Intake by DietFit Malaysia: 1. Bring a drinking water bottle everywhere you go, whether to work or when going for a walk. 2. Label the bottle with a drinking schedule or words of inspiration to encourage hydration. 3. Drink water after emptying the bladder. 4. If plain water does not excite your palate, try adding mint leaves, lemon or lime slices and cool the concoction overnight. The extra flavour comes without extra calories. 5. Try not to drink too much water (more than a litre) at one go because it would promote urination and dehydration. Instead, sip frequently. 6. This guide can also be used during the fasting month, when adequate water should be consumed between the breaking of fast and the pre-dawn meal. 7. If you workout often, replace the lost fluids by drinking at least two glasses of water after each session. --BERNAMA