We all live in a true water wonderland on the Gulf Beaches, surrounded by water on all sides. Just as important in our hot, tropical climate is the daily need for water intake, for both physical health and safety.
“Americans seem to carry bottled water everywhere they go these days,” notes Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, LD, in a recent online WebMD feature. “In fact, it has become the second most popular drink, behind soft drinks.”
Last year, every person in America drank an average of 30.8 gallons of bottled water. Per-capita consumption was up 5.3%, according to 2012 statistics released by the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), and Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC). Overall consumption of bottled water increased by 6.2% to a record 9.67 billion gallons – the strongest consumption rate in five years, and sales were up 6.7% to $11.8 billion.
According to Gary Hemphill, managing director, information services, at BMC, “All signs point to US consumers’ already displayed thirst for bottled water continuing in the years ahead. Changes in per capita consumption indicate persistent interest in a product that consumers embrace as a healthful alternative to other beverages. Bottled water proved itself to be not only a key component of the liquid refreshment beverage market; it also proved itself to be poised for future increases in per capita consumption.”
Adds Joe Doss, IBWA’s president and CEO, “People choose bottled water for a variety reasons. Many consumers are focusing on healthful choices for themselves and their families, and they know that safe, convenient, refreshing bottled water has zero calories and is the healthiest option on the shelf. They also appreciate the reliable, consistent quality of bottled water.Despite continued efforts by some activist groups to discourage people from drinking bottled water, consumption and sales of this healthy product are increasing as consumers make their voices heard in the marketplace.”
One second of America’s bottled water habit equals 1,500 bottles. Watershed, an art installation consisting of 1,500 hundred empty plastic bottles, designed by MSLK, a New York City-based graphic design agency, debuted in 2009 at the Figment Art Festival on Governors Island in New York City.
Good Water Health Advice
“A new report found that the benefits of drinking water may have been oversold,” Zelman continues, “and that the suggestion to drink eight glasses a day was a guideline, not based on scientific evidence. In spite of that, there are plenty of reasons to drink water. In fact, drinking water — either plain or in the form of other fluids or foods — is essential to your health.”
“Think of water as a nutrient your body needs that is present in liquids, plain water, and foods,” says Joan Koelemay, RD, dietitian for the Beverage Institute, an industry group. “All of these are essential daily to replace the large amounts of water lost each day.“
Kaiser Permanente nephrologist Steven Guest, MD, agrees. “Fluid losses occur continuously, from skin evaporation, breathing, urine and stool, and these losses must be replaced daily for good health,” he says.
“When your water intake does not equal your output,” Zelman explains, “you can become dehydrated. Fluid losses are accentuated in warmer climates, during strenuous exercise, in high altitudes, and in older adults, whose sense of thirst may not be as sharp.” Zelman offers six reasons to make sure you’re drinking enough water or other fluids every day:
Drinking Water Helps Maintain the Balance of Body Fluids.
Your body is composed of about 60% water. The functions of these bodily fluids include digestion, absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature. “Through the posterior pituitary gland, your brain communicates with your kidneys and tells them how much water to excrete as urine or hold onto for reserves,” says Guest, who is also an adjunct professor of medicine at Stanford University. “When you’re low on fluids, the brain triggers the body’s thirst mechanism. And unless you’re taking medications that make you thirsty, you should listen to those cues and get yourself a drink of water, juice, milk and coffee — anything but alcohol. Alcohol interferes with the brain and kidney communication and causes excess excretion of fluids which can then lead to dehydration.“
[One solution in this area is the use of Sea Salt and Distilled Water as big steps in challenging and overcoming your health concerns, according to natural health consultant Helen Campbell. See accompanying story.]
Water Can Help Control CaloriesFor years, dieters have been drinking lots of water as a weight loss strategy. While water doesn’t have any magical effect on weight loss, substituting it for higher calorie beverages can certainly help. “What works with weight loss is if you choose water or a non-caloric beverage over a caloric beverage and/or eat a diet higher in water-rich foods that are healthier, more filling, and help you trim calorie intake,” says Penn State researcher Barbara Rolls, PhD, author of The Volumetrics Weight Control Plan. “Food with high water content tends to look larger, its higher volume requires more chewing, and it is absorbed more slowly by the body, which helps you feel full. Water-rich foods include fruits, vegetables, broth-based soups, oatmeal, and beans.”
As a positive example, St. Pete Beach Mayor Steve McFarlin tells Paradise News, “For years I have struggled with weight variation. I have tried many fad diets such as low fat, low calorie and low carb. Although they do work, I find them unsustainable. Throughout these diet attempts I also consumed carbonated diet drinks thinking that by reducing my sugar intake this too would help with the weight issue. I was wrong. After consulting with my doctor last October, I was informed that these carbonated diet drinks could actually be contributing to my weight gain.
“I then simply switched to water as my beverage of choice. By eliminating the carbonation. I feel less bloated, which results in less appetite. Long story short, I have lost over 50 pounds in six months without resorting to starving myself, nor do I in anyway feel that this weight loss is just temporary. I consume two or three small bottles of water daily in addition to what I drink with meals. That’s it! I eat normal meals but I do find myself eating considerably less due to the effect of the water. Lose the carbonated drinks!You’ll feel the difference immediately.”
Water Helps Energize Muscles.
Cells that don’t maintain their balance of fluids and electrolytes shrivel, which can result in muscle fatigue. “When muscle cells don’t have adequate fluids, they don’t work as well and performance can suffer,” says Guest. “Drinking enough fluids is important when exercising.” Follow the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines for fluid intake before and during physical activity. These guidelines recommend that people drink about 17 ounces of fluid about two hours before exercise. During exercise, they recommend that people start drinking fluids early, and drink them at regular intervals to replace fluids lost by sweating.
Water Helps Keep Skin Looking Good.
Your skin contains plenty of water, and functions as a protective barrier to prevent excess fluid loss. “However, don’t expect over-hydration to erase wrinkles or fine lines, says Atlanta dermatologist Kenneth Ellner, MD. “Dehydration makes your skin look more dry and wrinkled, which can be improved with proper hydration. But once you are adequately hydrated, the kidneys take over and excrete excess fluids. You can also help ‘lock’ moisture into your skin by using moisturizer, which creates a physical barrier to keep moisture in.”
Water Helps Your Kidneys.
Body fluids transport waste products in and out of cells. “The main toxin in the body is blood urea nitrogen, a water-soluble waste that is able to pass through the kidneys to be excreted in the urine,” explains Guest. “Your kidneys do an amazing job of cleansing and ridding your body of toxins as long as your intake of fluids is adequate. When you’re getting enough fluids, urine flows freely, is light in color and free of odor. When your body is not getting enough fluids, urine concentration, color, and odor increases because the kidneys trap extra fluid for bodily functions. If you chronically drink too little, you may be at higher risk for kidney stones, especially in warm climates.”
Water Helps Maintain Normal Bowel Function.
Adequate hydration keeps things flowing along your gastrointestinal tract and prevents constipation. When you don’t get enough fluid, the colon pulls water from stools to maintain hydration — and the result is constipation. “Adequate fluid and fiber is the perfect combination, because the fluid pumps up the fiber and acts like a broom to keep your bowel functioning properly,” says Koelemay.
SIDEBAR- Salt Your Way to Health
After overcoming major health challenges for many years, Helen Campbell studied various methodologies and became a Natural Health Coach/Consultant. Her specialties include the Sea Salt & Water Challenge; mold and virus conditions in people and animals; digestive problems; and dementia clients with anxiety. She uses Homeopathics — all natural supplements without preservatives and synthetic ingredients, and encourages people to take responsibility for their healing.
Helen is a firm believer in drinking plenty of water daily for better health. “Your brain is approximately 90% water (saline solution),” she explains, “your bones approximately 70% water (saline solution) and your entire body is approximately 60% water (saline solution). As you can see, your body, your cells and your bones are all in sea salt saline solution.
“I am challenging everyone to make a change for the good in their health. Sea Salt and Distilled Water are big steps in challenging your health concerns and the process is very inexpensive and easy to do. Someone who weighs 200 pounds should be drinking a minimum of 100 ounces of water a day (six half-liter, 16.9 ounce bottles). The best way to do this is recommended in Dr Batmanhelidig’s Your Body’s Many Cries For Water, available in his books, CDs and DVDs.
“Upon rising immediately drink one 8-ounce glass of water, put some sea salt (the size of a quarter and level) in the palm of your hand, lick it off and let the sea salt mix with your saliva; then drink a second 8-ounce glass of water. This should be done spaced out over the day at least four times. This way your body is receiving enough water to manage the many functions that require saline solution (sea salt and water). Then you can drink the balance of your water anytime during the day.” [The Sea Salt Helen prefers is from Dr. Robert Marshall, which she has available in stock. The Distilled Water she prefers is from Wal-Mart.]
“As additional benefits,” she notes, “you should have better bowel movements, be mentally clearer, be more energetic, have less hunger pangs, and get possible help with other health challenges. Rehydration will be a wonderful gift to yourself.
“If you cannot drink as much water as you calculate, take baby steps and drink as much as you can and then start to increase your water intake. You will be very happy with your results.”
Helen can be reached via email at… naturalhealthstrategies@earthlink.net.
Story by STEVE TRAIMAN
Date: August 2013