The Healing Power of Water: How Important is it for the Human Body?

In one of our posts titled Diabetes, Under Incubation in Africa, Remains A Time-Bomb!, we listed some of the important ways to STOP the time-bomb, amongst which was hydration - drinking of water.

In this article, we have packaged a whole lot about water, its significance, functions and its power to heal a whole lot of diseases, including diabetes when associated with other lifestyle changes.

About Water

Drinking water prolongs life. Water, the "elixir of life". Water is Life!

Water, a colorless and tasteless substance without energy, is often also referred to as the "elixir of life". Making up about 70% of the human body, water is fundamental to maintaining the overall health and well-being of humans. It is essential for numerous physiological processes, from cellular function to temperature regulation.

Understanding the significance of water and its contributions to health underscores the importance of adequate hydration - water intake.

The Functions of Water in the Body

Cellular Health: Water is crucial for every cell in the human body. It aids in nutrient transport, oxygen delivery, and waste removal. But it also helps in diluting toxic chemicals in the cellular environment.

The acidic environment for example, which is a fertile ground for cancer cells can be highly diluted just by drinking water, and this alone can slow down the disease.

Temperature Regulation: Water helps maintain body temperature through perspiration and respiration, preventing overheating.

Digestive Health: Water assists in digestion by helping to break down food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste through urine and feces.

Water also serves as a medium for most of the digestive enzymes and chemicals to be very active in their roles. Some of these enzymes and chemicals are produced in other accessory organs and then carried through liquid to their points of activity - without or with less water, this would be difficult.

Joint and Muscle Function: Water lubricates joints and muscles, reducing friction and preventing injuries during physical activity.

Detoxification: The kidneys rely on water to filter and expel toxins from the blood. These toxins might be produced by the body cells or taken directly into the body.

Drinking water regularly (hydration) is the best and natural way to detoxify or "cleanse" our system than taking any medicine, which might end up harming your kidneys.

Energy: Though water on it own has no energy, it provides a good environment for energy-producing activities at the cellular levels to produce and release energy in the body.

Have you ever wondered why after feeling so tired and weak following a period of activity you feel so energetic again after having a sip? During activity you lost a lot of body water through sweat and respiration, leaving your cells with very low water medium for energy-producing activities. Sipping (hydration or drinking) now brings this water back and the energy-producing process is accelerated.

Water and Disease Prevention

Water plays a vital role in preventing and managing several health conditions. Here are a few examples supported by research:

Kidney Stones:

Adequate water intake helps dilute substances in urine that lead to stone formation. A study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that higher fluid intake is associated with a reduced risk of kidney stones (Clark et al., 2015).

Urinary Tract Infections:

Increased water consumption can help flush out bacteria from the urinary tract, reducing the risk of infections. Research in JAMA Internal Medicine indicated that women who increased their water intake experienced fewer recurrent UTIs (Hooton et al., 2018).

Hypertension:

Proper hydration helps maintain blood pressure levels. Dehydration can decrease blood volume, causing the heart to work harder and raising blood pressure. Studies have shown a correlation between dehydration and elevated blood pressure (Shirreffs & Maughan, 2000).

Constipation:

Water helps soften stool and promotes regular bowel movements, preventing constipation. A study in the European Journal of Nutrition emphasized the importance of fluid intake for digestive health (Anti et al., 1998).

Headaches:

Dehydration is a common trigger for headaches and migraines. Staying hydrated can help prevent and alleviate these painful episodes. A study published in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice highlighted the benefits of hydration in reducing headache severity (Spigt et al., 2012).

Skin Health:

Adequate hydration maintains skin elasticity and can prevent or alleviate conditions like dryness and eczema. Research in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology demonstrated the positive impact of hydration on skin health (Palma et al., 2015).

The Healing Power of Water

Recovery from Illness:

During illnesses involving fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, the body loses significant amounts of water. Rehydration is critical to restore balance and aid recovery. A review in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition emphasized the role of oral rehydration solutions in treating dehydration during illness (Gorelick et al., 1999).

Wound Healing:

Proper hydration supports the body's healing processes by maintaining skin elasticity and promoting new tissue formation. Studies have shown that hydrated cells are more effective at repairing damaged tissue (Gupta et al., 2011).

Tips for Staying Hydrated

Drink Regularly:

Make a habit of drinking water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

Thirst is an indicator that your cells have been in need of water for a long time (an extreme or terminal indicator). At this time, they might have been some micro "damages" or irregularities in your body. Secondly it is not sure that at the time we are thirsty we shall find water. Therefore, do well to "preserve" enough water in your body by always drinking before you are thirsty.

Secondly, do not drink much at a time, but sip throughout the day. Drinking much water at a time, you will urinate everything out the next minutes or hours. Note that the essence of drinking is to have enough water in our cells at all times for cellular activity.

Add Water-Rich Foods:

Include fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumber, and oranges in your diet to boost your water intake.

The good thing is most natural whole foods contain water that if eaten in large quantities, we add up to what we actually drink.

Note that though juices of all kinds and beers contain a lot of water as well, they contain lots of chemicals and preservatives that are detrimental to the body. Therefore avoid them as much as possible.

Monitor Your Intake:

Keep track of your water consumption, aiming for at least eight 8-ounce glasses (about 2 liters) per day, although individual needs may vary.

If you are not used to drinking this might be a bit difficult at the beginning, but with time it becomes a natural reflex and your body will always remind you - Practice makes perfect, they say. If you forget, let it not bother you. Make sure to use one of the many water drinking apps in your phone. Most of them have reminders.

In conclusion, water is an indispensable component of human health, influencing virtually every aspect of bodily function. From disease prevention to supporting recovery, the benefits of staying adequately hydrated cannot be overstated. By making conscious efforts to drink enough water, you can enhance your overall health and well-being, ensuring your body operates at its best.

Remember, the next time you reach for a glass of water, you are not just quenching your thirst; you are supporting a myriad of essential bodily functions that keep you healthy and thriving.

References

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