While many might be drinking water because doctors ordered them to do so, some dedicate their lives to drinking it because it is “life” and plays a crucial role in their lives.
Like Dean Roberts (40), a Durbanville-based fitness enthusiast who lost 19 kilograms, thanks to his weight-loss to a proper diet and water usage. He drinks a minimum of two litres of water a day and over three litres on gym days to stay hydrated.
He tells Health For Mzansi drinking water consistently has contributed to his weight loss journey “massively.”
“By drinking enough water, I am able to perform at a high level. I am dramatically looking leaner and water helps me stay fuller when I want to snack out of boredom,” Roberts says.
Water is very important for our health, and “because our bodies consist of approximately 80% water, it is crucial for the functioning of our cells. With enough water our performances and wellbeing improves, and it is a great way to avoid unnecessary calories, he adds.
The many benefits of water
While Roberts had a strong bond with water in his journey to weight loss, some keep water a constant in their journey to muscle gain. Sinovuyo Kildasi (26) from Nyanga East in Cape Town has always been skinny until he recently decided to start working towards building muscle.
“As a close friend to the gym, I have learnt that water is crucial because it helps increase the metabolic reaction and flushes out any toxins from the body. Water also helps the body organs to self-regulate and maintain a balance in conditions such as heat, meaning the more water you consume the more sweat you release.”
“My minimum water intake per day would be three litres because based on studies about health and fitness, someone weighing between 70 and 75 kilograms, like myself, should at least consume three litres of water daily,” he adds.
Water truly is life
Indeed “water is life,” adds Candice Jansen, a qualified water sommelier. She says, “Water is the most important resource on this plane, and hydration is everything.”
There’s a twist, though. “Safe drinking water is one thing but safe drinking water that’s also good for you is another. Hydration levels are important to manage, and it is essential that we get the most out of our water by making knowledgeable choices about what we consume,” Jansen adds.
Dieticians always say everything should be taken in moderation. Too much of one nutrient might not be good for your health, but is this the case with water?
Jansen says there should be no prescribed volume of water that should or shouldn’t be had during a 24-hour period because we all have different hydration needs.
“It’s important to know when you need more and when you have had enough and always remember that hydrating first thing in the morning is important. After having slept approximately eight hours without water, it is logical to hydrate in the morning.”
She says thirst strikes when we are hydrated by only 1%, so it is important that we listen to our bodies when this happens and rehydrate accordingly. But don’t force yourself to consume large amounts of water for the sake of reaching the eight glass rule.
Ever heard of water toxicity?
According to a Gqeberha-based registered dietician, Thandeka Mhlanga, consuming more than 1000 ml per hour of water might have a negative impact on the heath of certain individuals.
“The maximum amount of water that a person with a normal kidney function can drink is 800-1000 ml/hr to avoid hyponatremia symptoms. If you suffer from kidney failure, you may have water/ fluid restrictions,” Mhlanga says.
She says water or fluid restriction can be prescribed for people with certain medical conditions that require changes to their diets that affect the amount of liquids they take in every day.
Common medical conditions with associated symptoms requiring fluid restriction are:
- heart problems, including congestive heart failure.
- kidney problems, including end-stage renal disease and people undergoing dialysis.
- endocrine system and adrenal gland disorders, including adrenal insufficiency.
- conditions that cause the release of stress hormones.
- treatment with medications called corticosteroids.
- low levels of Sodium in your body also known as hyponatremia.
Touching on water toxicity, Mhlanga says over-hydration occurs when the body takes in more water than it loses.
“Over-hydration can occur when people drink much more water than their body needs. People, particularly athletes, who drink excessive water to avoid dehydration can develop over-hydration. People may also drink excessive water because of a psychiatric disorder called psychogenic polydipsia. The result is too much water and not enough sodium. Thus, over-hydration generally results in low sodium levels in the blood (hyponatremia), which can be dangerous,” she explains.
Health For Mzansi word of the day
Hyponatremia: When the concentration of sodium in your blood is abnormally low. Sodium is an electrolyte and it helps regulate the amount of water that is in and around cells in the body.
