The simplest drinking fluid in its natural form is surrounded by the most common misconceptions. We have been hearing these myths long enough that it has been ingrained in our head and believe them to be true. It is time we flush out these myths for good from our system.
Myth 1: Obsession with the number eight
There is no medically-backed rule that says you need to drink eight glasses of water in a day. It is believed that this number has been carried forward from a 1945 report by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council in the US that states adults should consume 2.5 litres of water per day, which roughly sums up to eight glasses. However, the same report also states that a large part of this water requirement is met by the water content in the food and beverage we consume. The World Health Organization’s recommendation for water intake is to let your body and your thirst act as your fluid intake guide. To sum it simply, drink water when thirsty.
Myth 2: Drinking warm water helps you lose weight
Water cannot dissolve fats. It certainly cannot help you lose weight. Drinking warm water post a meal aids in digestion and helps detoxify. Drinking water CAN help you lose weight, but not by gulping down bottles of it. Drinking sufficient water keeps you feeling full, thus helping you reduce your overall calorie intake by replacing the liquid calories we consume on daily basis (like coffee, soda and other sugared/high-calorie drinks).
Myth 3: If thirsty, then dehydrated
If you feel thirsty then your body is signalling you to drink water, but that doesn’t mean you are dehydrated. A good way to monitor your hydration levels is if you end the day not feeling thirsty, that means you have drunk enough water.
Myth 4: Drinking lots of water keeps your skin moist
The quantity of water you drink has nothing to do with the quality of your skin. Consuming water will not make your skin dewy, moist or glow. The water you drink has no way to affect the top layer of the skin. In fact, the moisture level of your skin is determined by your skincare products, genetics and the environment.
Myth 5: Drinking water between meals disturbs digestion
Water doesn’t interfere with digestion. In fact, drinking water during or after a meal helps the body break down the food and absorb the nutrients.
Myth 6: Standing and drinking water can cause arthritis
There is no scientific validation behind not drinking water while standing. Whenever we consume food or water, it enters our digestive system through the oesophagus. There is no risk of damage done to the digestive tract, lungs, joints and heart function if we drink water while standing. It is important to understand that your body has a water absorption process which is performed, no matter how you drink water. All sportsmen, marathon runners and animals drink water while playing, running and standing.
All this reading must have made your throat run dry. Go quench your thirst, free of misconceptions!
Source: @saffrontrail, @anjalimukerjee (Instagram), Mayo Clinic, The Healthy Indian Project, MenaFN, IN Fitness & Lifestyle, PharmEasy