People generally don't drink enough water. Yet drinking plenty of water will make a world of difference to how you feel (prevents fatigue), look (keeps skin moist and supple), and perform (improves physical and mental functioning).

An adequate water intake helps prevent constipation, overeating and development of kidney stones. Now, amazingly, new research suggests it also protects against modern killer diseases!

Water Guard

Drinking at least six glasses of water as compared to one a day cuts the risk of bladder cancer in men by half, according to a Harvard study.
Drinking five glasses of water as compared to two or less, reduces the risk of dying from heart disease by 40 to 50 per cent, according to the American Journal of Epidemiology.

How Much Is Enough?

Most health authorities recommend at least 6-8 glasses of pure water each day. If using a water bottle, this equates to about 1.5 to 2 litres.

Tap water (filtered) or bottled plain water is best. Soft drinks, flavoured mineral waters, juices, alcohol, tea and coffee do not count as pure water. While fruit and vegetable juices provide nutrients, you should limit fruit juices if overweight, even those with “no added sugar.” Vegetable juices provide fewer kilojoules.

To check whether you are getting enough water, examine the colour of your urine. It should be fairly clear, if you are well hydrated. Dark yellow urine suggests not enough (unless you are taking riboflavin, which can colour the urine yellow).

Tips

• Drink 1-2 glasses of water as soon as you wake
• Travel with a water bottle handy
• Keep water at your workstation
• Drink before, during and after exercise
• Drink a glass or two in the early evening.

Published in  Signs of the Times December 2005 Volume 120 No 12