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Should You Really Drink 8 Glasses Of Water Every Day? Myth Busted!

Drink eight glasses of water every day – You have probably read and heard this often to believe that it is the gospel of truth for keeping your body adequately hydrated. However, drinking eight glasses of water a day is nothing more than a popularly propagated health myth.

Certainly, keeping your body duly hydrated contributes to your overall health and well-being, as every cell in your body needs fluids for proper functioning. Even slight dehydration can interfere with the body’s ability to function well and manifest itself and form symptoms such as light-headedness, irritability, and headaches.

It is, perhaps, this fear of dehydration that has led self-proclaimed health experts and overzealous fitness trainers to put a number on the daily water requirement of the human body. Be that as it may, it is not possible to generalize the water requirement of the entire human race. The 8-glasses-a-day is but a generalized figure that may or may not meet, or even exceed your body’s requisite water intake.

The Genesis of the Myth

Health experts and doctors find themselves at a loss as to where the ‘eight glasses of water a day’ theory originated from! A 2002 study titled, ‘Drink eight glasses of water a day at least. Really? Is there scientific evidence for ”8×8”?’ tried to get to the bottom of this myth and traced its roots to a single paragraph in a report dated  1945  by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council in the US that states that adults should consume nearly 2.5 litres of water every day, which roughly equates to eight glasses of water.

However, the same report also noted that a large part of this water requirement is met by water content in the foods we consume and supplemented by beverages such as tea, coffee, milk, and even soft drinks. Somehow, the 2.5 litres figure stood out and gave way to the eight glasses of water a day theory.

Based on some studies I had read, your brain doesn’t function properly when you are dehydrated that might lead to cognitive issues. Elderly persons who are unable to fulfill their daily water intake might face difficulties in engaging in cognitive activities.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD

The Health Benefits of Drinking Enough Water

More than how many glasses of water  you must drink, it is important to drink enough water. Here are some of the health benefits you will derive:

You might have noticed that on days when you drink less water, you might experience joint pain. This is because water acts as lubrication of joints. The synovial fluid present at the joint consists of 70-80% of water. Any less water in the body might reduce the production of this joint-lubricating liquid.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

The Facts

If one looks at the World Health Organization’s recommendation for water intake, it becomes clear that the amount of water needed by the body varies according to different physiological and demographic factors such as age, sex, location, climate, activity levels, and more.

For the sake of aggregation, the average total water intake has been pegged at 2.7 litres for women and 3.7 litres for men, ‘total’ is the keyword here.

This means that you do not need to drink 2.7 litres or 3.7 litres of water straight from the faucet –  Our food intake meets about 20 per cent of this value. Beverages such as fruit juices, soft drinks, milk, tea, and coffee also contribute toward a portion of the remaining 80 per cent of the body’s water requirement.

In addition to this, the body’s water requirement may vary depending on certain lifestyle factors:

Your body gives you signs that you need to drink water long before dehydration sets in. The most practical rule of thumb is to keep a bottle of water handy and drink whenever you feel thirsty. Therefore, you may or may not drink eight glasses of water every day!

Also Read: Purple Cauliflower Benefits: A Nutritional Breakdown Backed by Science

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

 
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Why Should You Drink Water in the Morning Before Brushing?

It is common knowledge that you need to drink 7-8 glasses of water every day. Your body needs water to carry out all of its functions. While it is understandable that you will have to space out your drinking, many people are left asking the question – ”Should they drink water before or after brushing their teeth?” Read on to find out.

Drinking-Water First Thing In The Morning 

You can indeed drink water right after you wake up, even before you brush your teeth. In fact, this practice can do you a world of good-

  1. Your body uses up its water supply during the night when you sleep and you don’t always wake up in the middle of the night to refill your water stores. That is why you should drink water as soon as you wake up, it will rehydrate you.
  2. The germs and bacteria inside your mouth multiply during the night. When you drink water in the morning before brushing, it will clean out your mouth and make tooth-brushing more effective.
  3. When you make a habit of drinking water before brushing, you will notice your immunity becoming more robust. There will be fewer incidents of you falling prey to illnesses such as common cough and cold, flu or hay fever.
  4. Yet another surprising benefit is that drinking water before brushing will lower high blood pressure and regulate blood sugar levels throughout the day.
  5. When you start the day with a glass of water, you ensure that problems like gastritis or indigestion will not plague you.
  6. Lastly, this practice will make both your skin and hair soft and supple.

Let me tell you about an interesting observation. In a study, it was seen that drinking water before a meal might help overweight and obese older adults eat less. Adults were given either a glass of water or no water before breakfast. The ones who drank water ate about 13% less food. This suggests that drinking water before snacks or meals may be a simple but effective way for older adults to control their weight.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Also Read: Water for Weight Loss – How it Helps?

Did you know? 

Also Read: What Causes Receding Gums: Insights and Preventive Measures from Experts

What Causes Bad Morning Breath?

One of the main causes of bad breath is a condition called dry mouth. Dry mouth occurs when we go to sleep and saliva production is lower. Saliva is acidic and helps to keep bacteria populations controlled. But when we go to bed, the lower levels of saliva allows the bacteria to multiply and result in bad morning breath. Brushing and flossing your teeth well to get rid of any food particles will help combat this issue since the bacteria feed on the food particles left in between your teeth. 

Drinking water in the morning will help to flush out these bacteria and get rid of the dry sensation simultaneously. Also, apart from dental hygiene practices like brushing and flossing, you should rinse your mouth with water after every meal, this can help to reduce the food particles on your teeth.

From what I have seen, dehydration may make you feel tired and even nauseous. Sometimes, when you wake up in the morning not feeling great, it’s because your body didn’t get enough water the previous day. Water is important because it improves the blood and oxygen flow, which might make you feel more awake and energised. To start your day off right, try drinking a large glass of water as soon as you wake up!

Dr. Smita barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.

Also Read: Benefits of Tongue Scraping: A Guide to Better Oral Health

What About Drinking Water After Brushing?

The answer to this question is an emphatic NO. Not just water, you should not be consuming any liquids or solids right after brushing.

Drinking water after brushing your teeth reduces the efficacy of your toothpaste. As it is, when you rinse out your mouth after brushing, most of the beneficial elements in your toothpaste are washed away. But some still linger among your teeth and gums and these remnants will protect your teeth throughout the day. Now if you drink water after you brush, you will be flushing down the remains of the toothpaste. This will leave your mouth defenceless.

Also Read: How to Control Diabetes Without Medicine: The Research-Backed Lifestyle Changes That Can Help

From my perspective, it is important to stay hydrated to avoid headaches caused by water deprivation and dehydration. Therefore, drinking water as soon as you wake up in the morning might help with dehydration-related headaches throughout the day.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Wait 15-20 minutes before you drink or eat anything.

There is no better way to start the morning than with a glass of water before you brush your teeth. There are tons of benefits of drinking water in the morning that will keep you going strong all day. Just try to avoid drinking water right after you brush.

Read More: How To Stay Hydrated?

Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

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Can Drinking Water Help In Weight Loss?

Tried and time tested, it goes to say beyond doubt that drinking water helps to lose weight. There are various theories as to why this is the case of how water therapy helps in weight loss, most of them are now testified by research. Let us understand the science behind the fact.

A study published in the journal Obesity found that drinking a little less than half a liter of water around half an hour before each meal helped reduce more than 4 kgs over a period of a month.

Below are four reasons how drinking water can help in losing weight –

  1. Feel Full –

Drinking a couple of glasses of water about 30 minutes before meals helps us feel full and we tend to avoid overeating. Less food equals fewer calories and greater weight loss. Water fills us up and helps us feel satisfied more quickly.

Since water has no calories, choosing it to quench your thirst instead of higher-calorie beverages like juice, soda, sweetened tea, or coffee may help you consume less liquid calories overall. Moreover, drinking water instead of the typical 20-ounce vending machine soft drink may save you a surprising 250 calories!

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD

  2. Increase Metabolism –

Metabolism is the rate at which the body converts food into energy. Lack of enough water slows down metabolism by as much as 3%. Thus, intake of water and weight loss are closely related. This means that all the hard work you put in to lose weight is less effective by 3%, simply because your body is dehydrated and cannot perform its best.

Staying adequately hydrated can boost metabolism as much as 30%.

Drink around half a liter of water about half an hour before you hit the gym or the track to maximize your workout benefits.

Given that water makes up a major portion of urine and water keeps stools soft, drinking water makes it easier to produce pee and move faeces. That is to say, the more hydrated you are, the simpler it will be for your body to process things and the less likely that you will experience constipation and bloating.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

  3. Control Hunger –

Many times the craving for that afternoon snack may not be hunger at all; it is just the body’s dehydration signal mistaken for hunger. Drinking an adequate quantity of water will keep the mistaken hunger in check and help lose weight.

  4. Fight fatigue –

Dehydration leads to fatigue and tiredness. A constant feeling of fatigue and tiredness tends to be mistaken as a lack of adequate nourishment. To make up for this perceived lack of nourishment, we tend to stuff our bodies with unnecessary extra calories that lead to weight gain. Keep yourself adequately hydrated, drink ample water to keep up energy levels and avoid binging.

Also, here’s the cherry on top for your weight loss journey, grab our new Weight loss Essentials and cut those extra inches!

Also Read: Do Saunas Help You Lose Weight? A Detailed Look Into The Science Behind It

Also Read: 15 Everyday Benefits Of Jeera Water That You Should Know!

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

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Myth Debunked – Benefits Of Drinking 8 Glasses Of Water A Day

‘Drink Eight Glasses of Water a Day!’ You have probably read about this and heard this long and often enough to believe that it is the gospel truth for keeping your body adequately hydrated. However, drinking eight glasses of water a day is nothing more than a popularly propagated health myth.Indeed, keeping your body duly hydrated contributes to your overall health and well-being, as every cell in your body needs fluids for proper functioning. Even slight dehydration can interfere with the body’s ability to function well and manifest itself in form symptoms such as light-headedness, irritability and headaches.It is, perhaps, this fear of dehydration that has led self-proclaimed health experts and overzealous fitness trainers to put a number on the daily water requirement of the human body. Be that as it may, it is not possible to generalize the water requirement of the entire human race. The 8-glasses-a-day is but a generalized figure that may or may not meet, or even exceed your body’s requisite water intake.

The genesis of this Myth

Health experts and doctors find themselves at a loss as to where the ‘eight glasses of water a day’ theory originated. A 2002 study titled, ‘Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Really? Is there scientific evidence for ”8×8”?’ tried to get to the bottom of this myth and traced its roots to a single paragraph in a 1945 report by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council in the US that states that adults should consume nearly 2.5 litres of water every day, which roughly equates to eight glasses of water.However, the same report also noted that a large part of this water requirement is met by water content in the foods we consume and supplemented by beverages such as tea, coffee, milk and even soft drinks. Somehow, the 2.5 litres figure stood out and gave way to the eight glasses of water a day theory.Read More: 6 Benefits of Drinking Water in The Morning

The Facts

If one looks at the World Health Organisation’s recommendation for water intake, it becomes amply clear that the amount of water needed by the body varies according to different physiological and demographic factors such as age, sex, location, climate, activity levels and more.For the sake of aggregation, the average total water intake has been pegged at 2.7 litres for women and 3.7 litres for men, ‘total’ is the keyword here.This means that you do not need to drink 2.7 litres or 3.7 litres of water straight from the faucet. Our food intake meets about 20 per cent of this value. Beverages such as fruit juices, soft drinks, milk, tea and coffee also contribute toward a portion of the remaining 80 per cent of the body’s water requirement.Also Read: How to Control Diabetes Without Medicine: The Research-Backed Lifestyle Changes That Can HelpIn addition to this, the body’s water requirement may vary depending on individual lifestyle factors: Your body gives you signs that you need to drink water long before dehydration sets in. The most practical rule of thumb is to keep a bottle of water handy and drink whenever you feel thirsty.Also Read: Drinking Water for Weight Loss – Does It Work?Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
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