Some of you may recall my post on taking 10,000 steps a day; 10,000 steps is the brand name of a step counter that was advertised during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Even though there is no scientific reason that 10,000 is the magic number of steps one should take, we have a very famous professor of medicine writing in his newspaper column that 10,000 steps is a must.
“Do You Take 10,000 Steps a Day? Why?”, posted on September 11, 2018.
Interestingly enough, a while back this same professor was seen in newspaper adds claiming that one should drink 2 liters of water every day; a specific brand, of course. Not very scientific, as you will see below, and not very ethical.
When it comes to drinking water, the common conception is the more you drink, the healthier you’ll be. Bottled water advertisers have much to blame for this misconception.
While being well hydrated is a good thing, there’s actually a chance that you could be drinking too much water.
A quick Google search will tell you that 8 cups of water a day is ideal to keep you well hydrated. However, this isn’t always the case. According to a well-respected registered dietitian Megan Wong “The amount of water one person needs fluctuated from person to person and can depend on things like age, activity level, the climate they live in, medical conditions, and more.”
“To make sure you’re getting enough fluids, check the color of your urine – it should be clear or pale yellow.”
Thirst is typically a sign of dehydration so it’s important to drink plenty of water before you feel that sensation. You should keep in mind that the “feeling of thirst” is said to diminish as one ages, so urine color should be your first priority.
You can include beverages other than water and even some fruits and vegetables in meeting your daily fluid intake goal. For example, tea, coffee, watermelon, and cucumber.
Staying hydrated is very important for making sure your body runs properly. Hydration helps ward away illness and injury and maintain a healthy blood flow which ensures that your body is being provided with the nutrients it needs. If you have a fever, for example, it’s crucial to stay hydrated, as water will help replenish lost fluids and rebalances your body temperature.
While plenty of water is important to keep your body running, don’t feel too stressed about hitting any particular hydration goals (i.e. don’t pay any attention to bottled water adds). By listening to your body, you can tell how much water you actually need to consume to stay healthy; you don’t have to force down a gallon each day.
Also, keep in mind that if you overdue the hydration thing, your body could wash out important minerals and such.
That’s it for now my friends; see you all the next time.
