The connection between water and health

The connection between Water and Health

Around 57-60% of the human body is made of water. Water is truly an essential nutrient. It is required by the body to perform many different function including providing a medium for transportation of nutrients and oxygen to all parts of the body, lubrication of joints, eyes and mouth, maintaining a normal body temperature and helping to detoxify the body through the gut, the skin via perspiration and the kidneys via urine.

Ayurveda, the 5000 year old science of healing considers boiled hot water to be of immense value. It is considered to have the power to clean the gut and improves its digestive abilities. This increase in the ability to digest allows the body to get rid of the foreign and pathologic toxins allowing an improvement in the immune system.

We lose 1800-2100 ml water every day through our skin, lungs, urination via kidneys and stools via gut. Inability to replenish water loss leads to poor hydration. Poor hydration manifests itself through dry and scaly skin, dark urine, headache, fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, light headedness, palpitations and even confusion.

According to Ayurveda the ability of the water to carry out its functions can be enhanced by putting ginger in the water when boiling or squeezing fresh lemon juice after boiling. It is preferable to boil the water on a stove. Depending on your Ayurvedic body type, your physician can help you select specific herbs that can be added to your water to enhance your health.

Proper hydration is the first step towards detoxifying our bodies. Our water requirements are based on our gender as well as the type of physical work we do and our body size. Find out more about your water requirements and strategies to ensure adequate hydration from your doctor.