Today I decided to write about water again. Many, in particular me, underestimate the importance of water in our lives. Once again, I was prompted to remember this by two things: my October trip to Ayurvedic detox in India and the article, which I will quote below, published in the online version of the British edition of the Daily Mail.
The Indian miracle spa, heavily advertised by friends and acquaintances, in general disappointed me, but this is a separate topic. However, a few points were interesting. For which I am grateful to the staff of this Indian “hospital”, because they opened my eyes to the important function of water, which I have never thought about. It turns out that it not only moisturizes the body, replenishes lost moisture and carries nutrients to various organs. Water is an indispensable tool for removing toxins from the body. And if your body is polluted, then no healthy food, vitamins and supplements will help – and the whole healthy lifestyle will be down the drain. Neither vegetable juice nor green tea has the same properties as plain water!
Indian yoga and fitness instructors literally shoved water into us, and doctors more than strongly recommended increasing our water intake to unacceptable daily volumes in my Moscow life. During several days spent in India, I followed the recommendations 100% and drank about 4 (!!!!!) liters of drinking water per day.
It is important to understand that feeling thirsty has nothing to do with how much water you need to drink. For example, many do not want and even “cannot” drink water at all. But you have to force yourself, there is no other way. And at some point, water will become an integral part of your day: the body will get used to it.
In Moscow with hourly plugs, drinking several liters of water a day is very difficult, personally, I have already been in unpleasant situations a couple of times, when it seemed to me that I would burst if I didn’t get to the coveted toilet, and made emergency stops at BP))) But the result is worth all the “suffering.”
The example of Sarah Smith, a 42-year-old UK resident, shows how water is beneficial to the human body. Her experience is described in this article.
For those who do not speak English, I made a short translation:
Sarah Smith, a 42-year-old resident of Great Britain, decided to conduct an experiment to see how her body condition would change if she drank at least 3 liters of liquid every day for four weeks. The reason for this decision was the desire to get rid of the headaches and digestive problems that had tormented her for a long time. After consulting a neurologist, nutritionist and therapist, Sarah decided to divide this volume into 6 meals during the day. Her doubts about whether such a sharp increase in fluid intake would harm the body, was dispelled by the therapist; moreover, the human kidneys even need such abundant flushing.
Before the start of the experiment, the woman noted the classic symptoms of dehydration: dark circles under the eyes, an abundance of wrinkles, reddish spots on the face, lack of radiance of the skin, wrinkled lips. Not surprising, since she used to drink no more than three glasses of liquid during the day.
Already in the first weeks of the experiment, Sarah felt internal changes in her state: the number of urinations increased from three to six, the color of urine changed to a lighter color, and the bowel function returned to normal. Headaches disappeared almost immediately, the muscles of the body were much more elastic, and stretching improved. The breath became fresher, and the woman attributes this to the fact that she replaced the tea with water, which she previously drank in large quantities.
The increase in fluid volume led to a natural decrease in the amount of food consumed, which also affected weight loss. Sarah, who used to love snacking, noticed that very often the craving for a snack is actually craving. Indeed, studies show that in 37% of cases, people confuse hunger with thirst. Contrary to the woman’s expectations, her belly did not look swollen from the volume of fluid, but, on the contrary, became flatter. Reduced cellulite on the thighs and buttocks.
Sarah Smith notes an increase in efficiency, quick thinking, and this is not accidental. Dr. Emma Derbyshire, Lecturer in the Department of Nutritional Physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University and an advisor to the Natural Hydration Council, says: “Our brain is 73% water, so dehydration adversely affects its performance. Dehydration lowers concentration, as well as our cognitive function. “
But the most amazing changes Sarah Smith noticed on her face. Skin pigmentation and dark circles around the eyes have disappeared almost completely. The complexion has improved, the skin tone is evened out. The wrinkles are much less noticeable. In general, the skin turned out to be much more toned, elastic, fresh, smoother, hydrated, and radiant. The sensation of dry eyes disappeared, especially in the morning.
Summing up the results of her four-week experiment, Sarah Smith notes that she looks and feels like a completely different person – slimmer, fit and healthy, as if she is 10 years younger. Therefore, she intends to continue drinking at least 3 liters of water a day and advises all women to do this – always after consulting a doctor.