Are You Drinking or Fooling? The Importance of Drinking Water

Everyone tells you that the healthiest thing is to drink water and that without it, there is no life. Too bad it lacks flavor.

Keeping Count

How much to drink: In winter, you should drink about a liter and a half of fluids, which include herbal teas or freshly squeezed juice. In summer, you should drink about two liters. During a trip or a sports class, increase the amount because you lose fluids. Remember that air conditioning dehydrates us. Additionally, in illnesses where fluids are lost (like fever or diarrhea), you need to drink more. In short, adjust the amount of drinking to the situation. But in any case, the minimum is one and a half liters of fluids per day.

Fair Distribution

Water bottles: Some might suggest counting cups of drinks, but this is boring and confusing to keep track. Others might suggest drinking a glass of water every hour, suitable only for those with a watch on their wrist. Therefore, I recommend leaving the house with a half-liter water bottle. Drink it by 12:00 PM, refill and drink until 4:00 PM, and refill again to drink until 8:00 PM.

Water Thieves

The culprits: Processed foods rich in salt. If that’s what you eat, reduce this category. Secondly, drink more water because salt absorbs fluids. Additionally, foods and drinks containing caffeine, such as chocolate, cocoa, coffee, tea, cola, and energy drinks, modify the body's fluids. Therefore, cut back on their consumption (best choice) or drink more water.

Rich in Water

Water in food: If you eat fruits and vegetables, consume soups, and eat whole grains and legumes, know that these foods are rich in water—which is good. When cooking grains, add two cups of water to each cup of grain. So at the end of cooking, each grain kernel consists of one-third starch and two-thirds water. Legumes also absorb the cooking water. Fantastic!

The Health Benefit

What we gain: Moist, healthy, and beautiful facial skin—not dry and lifeless. Healthy hair—not dry. Strong nails—not brittle. Good peristalsis (movement) in the intestines, especially in the large intestine, not abdominal pain and bloating. Good flow and nourishment of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to all body organs, reduced headaches, and more. In short, only good comes from it.

Everything in Moderation

Don't overdo it: As in many areas, here too, too much is not good. Drinking three liters of water on a regular day (not on a trip), and even four liters, is bad! It burdens the kidneys, which need to filter the water; it urinates out essential nutrients, and it can increase blood pressure.

Want to learn more? Purchase the series "Growing Healthy" taught by the naturopath Sarah Bar Asher at the Jewish Campus of Hidabroot.

Sarah Bar Asher is a naturopath and lecturer on topics of nutrition and the food industry. Barasher@zahav.net.il