While we often hear about the importance of drinking eight glasses of water daily, most physicians will tell you there is no true medical evidence that shows this number is best. What they will tell you is that water is the most important drink a person can consume.
“You often hear reports that people should eat healthier and exercise more. Unfortunately, you less often hear reports that people should drink more water. The truth is drinking water is one the simplest and most effective ways to improve your health,” said Dr. Ira Means, a physician at Eskenazi Health Center Blackburn.
Means said although there is no single formula that fits everyone, knowing more about your body’s need for fluids will help you estimate how much water to drink each day. As a starting point for example, the Institute of Medicine has determined that an adequate intake for men is roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day. For women, they recommend 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day.
He said water is your body’s principal chemical component and makes up about 60 percent of your body weight. Water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues. It results in improvements to the body’s immune system, weight and digestive track.
On the flip side, lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when a person does not have enough water in the body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired.
Other benefits include helping to prevent muscle cramps while exercising, bringing sugar levels down after a meal and flushing out your system to maintain bowel regularity. Means suggested people should carry a reusable water bottle to encourage the necessary water consumption needed each day.
“There are several pluses for drinking water. For one, it is cheap. It also helps cleanse the Body, and it does a really good job of hydrating the body,” Means explained. “Unlike alcohol, soda and sugary drinks, which can often make a person dehydrated, water works directly with the body to replenish fluids.”
Through a network of primary care sites located throughout the neighborhoods of Indianapolis, Eskenazi Health Center locations offer a-wide array of services, including physical exams, prenatal care, social services, dental services and more.
For more information on these services or to find a primary care physician, call Health Connection at (317) 880-7666.
