Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for your responses and interest in ShaysWays! I had mentioned in one of my previous messages, that after returning from the Optimum Health Institute, I was having to readjust my water intake. This article has helped me get motivated to do that!

As many as 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated—most without knowing it. And with many of us, our thirst mechanism is so weak that we often mistake it for hunger. In his well-known book, Your Body's Many Cries for Water: You Are Not Sick, You Are Thirsty!, physician and water advocate, F. Batmanghelidj, outlines an impressive array of health symptoms that are caused by dehydration and can be reversed through water therapy.

Lack of water (dehydration) can be the cause of many ailments, including hypertension, asthma, allergies, excess body weight, migraine headaches, even depression.

Don't forget . . . our bodies are comprised of 75% water, and our brains are approximately 85% water! Water aids in digestion and food absorption, regulates body temperature and blood circulation; carries nutrients and oxygen to cells; prevents clogging of arteries in the heart and brain; increases the efficiency of the immune system; improves skin tone and reduces the effects of aging. It also removes toxins and other wastes and cushions joints and protects tissues and organs, including the spinal cord, from shock and damage.

Get into the habit of drinking one glass of water for every 1-2 hours you are awake, but stopping two hours prior to bedtime. Naturally decaffeinated hot or cold herbal teas such as green tea, black tea or white tea are great hydrators and also bring antioxidant protection (see Super Health 7 Golden Keys for recommendations).

Five Water Myths Debunked

1. Other kinds of fluids may be substituted for water. (False!)

There is a significant difference between drinking pure spring water and beverages that simply contain water. Caffeinated beverages stimulate the adrenal glands and act as diuretics that cause the body to expel fluid. Soft drinks, which are basically cans of empty calories, also contain phosphoric acid, which can lead to depletion of bone calcium. Fruit juices contain loads of sugar, which stimulates the pancreas and increases insulin sensitivity. And many of these beverages contain high levels of salt and other dehydrating agents, dangerous artificial sweeteners or high fructose corn syrup that further threaten the body's valuable water reserves.

2. The first sign of dehydration is dry mouth. (False!)

If you wait until you "feel" thirsty to drink, you're already well on your way to dehydration. What many people don't realize is that certain body pains are linked to a poorly hydrated body and localized thirst. That mysterious ache you're having in your lower back? Try drinking 8 to 12 glasses of water each day, and see if it doesn't "miraculously" disappear! One of water's many functions is that it serves as a joint lubricant. The cartilage tissues found at the ends of long bones and between the vertebrae of the spine hold a lot of water, which serves as a lubricant during the movement of the joint. When the cartilage is sufficiently hydrated, the two opposing surfaces glide freely, and friction damage is minimal. If the cartilage is dehydrated, the rate of "abrasive" damage is increased, resulting in joint deterioration and increased pain.

A simple way to judge whether you're hydrated is by looking at the color of your urine. If your urine is uncolored or if it looks like lemonade, you're well-hydrated. If it looks like Mountain Dew or orange juice, it's time to drink some water! (Note: certain vitamins and medicines can temporarily change the color of your urine, such as B vitamins.) Another good indicator of dehydration is constipation. Increased quantities of water, along with high-fiber fruits and vegetables, should eliminate this problem.

3. All water is the same. (False)

Our municipal waters are often high in harmful chemicals, such as chlorine, fluoride and lead. If you are unable to purchase a point-of-source water filtration system, then we suggest bottled water. But remember, not all bottled waters are created equal! The best option is glass bottled water. If plastic is your only option, the very best plastics are corn-based plastics. Finding quality spring water in corn-based plastic bottles can be challenging, but consumer demand will spark more and more availability.

If you can't find corn-based plastics, it is important to know that every plastic bottle leaches into the water. Learn how to choose the least harmful plastics by looking at the number inside of the triangle typically located at the bottom of the bottles. Number 1 is thought to be the least dangerous single-use plastic. Other than immediately after you finish drinking a fresh bottle, never refill plastic water bottles. Look for waters with a high pH (7.0 and above).

4. Water bloats. (False!)

As a matter of fact, bloating is caused by dehydration. If you're not drinking sufficient amounts of water, your body will start to retain water to compensate for the shortage. To eliminate fluid retention, you should drink more water, not less, as this helps to stimulate the kidneys.

5. Water adds weight. (False!)

In addition to containing no calories, water serves as an appetite suppressant, and helps the body to metabolize stored fat. Even mild dehydration can slow down the body's metabolism by as much as 3%. A decreased metabolic rate makes it more difficult for your body to burn calories and fat.