25/09/2017
Learn The Proper Way To Drink Water
By Dr. Willie T. Ong
1. Drink water when you wake up. You are naturally thirsty or dehydrated in the morning. Drinking water in the morning helps flush out the toxins that have accumulated all night.
2. Drink 8 to 12 glasses a day. According to the Mayo Clinic, a 120-pound individual needs 8 cups of water a day, while a 190-pound person requires 12 cups daily. We should monitor our urine color and keep it on the light side. However, drink only a maximum of 16 glasses a day, and not more. Too much water can lead to electrolytes imbalance.
3. Drink little by little throughout the day. It is preferable to sip water throughout the day rather than to drink two glasses all at once. This will lessen the stress on the heart.
4. Don’t wait until you're thirsty to drink water. By the time you feel thirsty, you’re probably already 2 glasses below your normal water needs. Elderly people are also less sensitive to the body’s need for water.
5. Drink water, not soft drinks, alcohol or coffee.
6. Train children to drink water.
7. Drink more when it’s hot. People living in hot climates need to drink more water. They are more prone to develop kidney stones compared to those living in cooler regions.
8. Drink more as you exercise. When you exercise, you need to drink more water to compensate for fluid loss. Go for an extra 500 ml of water for a 30-minute to 1-hour exercise.
9. Drink more when you’re sick. Even though you don’t feel like it, you really need to drink more water to help your body recover from various infections. If you’re dehydrated, you’ll feel much worse.
10. Drink more if you’re pregnant. Women who are expecting or breast-feeding need additional fluids to stay hydrated. Drink 10 cups of fluids daily and women who breast-feed may take in about 13 cups of fluids a day.