Those who have swollen limbs think that reducing their water intake will help prevent fluid retention. Well, that is not so.
Water is the most essential nutrient and the first liquid for human life. Two thirds of our body is made up of water. We can survive for months without food, but without water we would die in 12 days. Apart from air, water is the only element that enters our body every day of our life. It is present in every cell and tissue in our body and plays a vital role in almost all biological processes in the human body.
Most people are not really aware of the importance of water for overall health and vitality. It is estimated that only 10 to 15% of the population drinks B or more glasses of pure water per day. The importance of drinking adequate amounts of water increases with age. Many people (especially older people) do not consume or retain enough water to maintain good health and a long life.
As we age, there is intracellular dehydration, a factor that is linked to the fact that it increases the loss of sensitivity towards the sensation of thirst. As the body matures, the body retains less cellular water (up to 10 to 15% less at the age of 65). The typical phrase "Be well for your age" is closely related to a diet rich in fruits and vegetables together with a low intake of overcooked food, table sugar, salt ... all this linked to reality. DRINK A LOT OF WATER!
Water and digestion
Water is a very important component in digestion, especially in a digestive system belonging to an older person. In younger bodies, the process of "breaking down" food and converting it into simpler forms to be absorbed by the body is done in a very basic way.
Both the digestive and metabolic systems undergo relatively little change over time, but there are some that do occur.
Intestinal mobility or peristaltic movements, the ability of the intestine to move food by contracting the walls of the intestine, decreases with age. This increases the time it takes for a food to be fully digested and eliminated in the form of feces, causing a person to be more prone to cramps, bloating, gas, constipation, and even colon cancer.
Often, a lack of fiber and water are to blame for creating dysfunction in the digestive system. Diverticulum is an anatomical change in the digestive system produced by the formation of small diverticula in the bottom of the large intestine of a person. This disease affects one third of people over 45 years of age and two thirds of those over 60, with women being more prone to it. The best way to prevent this disease is to eat enough fiber and drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. It can also be prevented reducing strong laxatives and enemas that steal body fluids and add pollutants to the body.
On the other hand, people who suffer from spastic colon or irritable bowel syndrome experience alternate phases of diarrhea and constipation, accompanied by painful cramps and gas. Spasms occur because the musculature is not uniform in consistency, some parts are hard and compact while others are very permeable. Eating a diet rich in soluble fiber and drinking enough water daily can go a long way toward normalizing a spastic colon.
People who suffer from constipation can also benefit from drinking large amounts of water, because it favors extremely hard and dry bowel movements.
Water and weight loss
Many people, who have swollen limbs, think that reducing their water intake will help prevent fluid retention. Well, that is not so. It often gives the impression that the body has too much water in the system because the hands, feet and eyes are swollen. However, the problem is simply that the water is deposited in the wrong place and therefore the kidneys need to increase their water consumption to remove the excess fluid.
Many times, hunger and cravings are simply a sign of thirst. Drink 2 glasses of water beforehand, wait 10 minutes and then see if you are still hungry.
You will find that you do not have to eat as much to feel full or that the cravings pass completely. Remember that by drinking diet sodas like colas instead of plain water you are filling your system with sweeteners, minerals and chemicals that alter your metabolism, cause fluid retention and increase your cravings.
Likewise, there are foods that can contain up to 90% water. Fruit, for example, has a high water content and is a perfect substitute for desserts and snacks. Always have a wide variety of fruits, apples, bananas, papayas, kiwis, grapefruits, etc. on hand, but stay away from others such as avocados and nuts; Although these foods are high in vitamins, their fat and cholesterol content is quite high. The last challenge would therefore be to replace your cravings for sweets with fruits.
Finally, drinking cold water absorbs calories from the body by lowering body temperature. The body is a heat generating machine and recovers this loss by burning fat.
Although the calories burned are minimal, drinking cold water on a regular basis can cause you to burn some calories effortlessly.
Drinking cold water absorbs calories from the body by lowering body temperature. The body is a heat generating machine and recovers this loss by burning fat. Although the calories burned are minimal, drinking cold water on a regular basis can cause you to burn some calories effortlessly.
