We drink water every day; it's a common part of daily life, especially in the sweltering summer when water is an indispensable way to cool down. But even though we drink water every day, do we really know how to drink it properly? Are we drinking it healthily? Today, let me introduce you to how to drink water healthily.
1. Avoid drinking like a cow.
This refers to drinking too much water at once, which often occurs after strenuous exercise or after a prolonged period without water. This type of drinking causes the stomach to expand rapidly, far exceeding the gastrointestinal tract's transport and absorption capacity, unnecessarily increasing the burden on organs and affecting digestive function. The harm is even greater for those who gulp down water and then engage in further physical activity. Therefore, it is best to drink slowly, in small amounts, and frequently.
II. Avoid drinking bland beverages.
In other words, drinking only plain water is not advisable. During the hot summer months, excessive sweating leads to the loss of various electrolytes (mainly sodium chloride). Although the kidneys can regulate this through reabsorption, there are limits and time required. If only plain water is consumed, the increased sweating and salt loss may lead to hyponatremia (low sodium levels in the blood). This can cause weakness, fatigue, and lethargy. Therefore, a small amount of salt should be added to drinking water, especially during physical activity or after exercise. Of course, most commercially available beverages now contain added electrolytes, so there's no need to add any more.
3. Avoid cold drinks.
Everyone enjoys cold drinks, but improper consumption can lead to health problems. For example, when you are sweating profusely, your blood vessels are dilated and your glands are open. If you suddenly drink an ice-cold beverage, the sudden temperature change in a certain part of your body (the throat) can reflexively cause the smooth muscles of blood vessels, glandular ducts, and esophagus to contract sharply, easily triggering pharyngitis, bronchitis, or even asthma. Therefore, it is appropriate to first sip a small amount of ice-cold beverage to allow your mouth and throat to adjust, and then gradually increase the amount consumed.
IV. Avoid drinking before meals
Many people, unable to resist their thirst before meals, gulp down a large glass of water before sitting down. However, in hot weather, the secretion of digestive glands is already affected, and a large glass of water further dilutes the already insufficient digestive juices, thus hindering digestion. A better suggestion is to drink soup instead of tea. The saltiness of the soup can stimulate the secretion of digestive glands, increase the activity of digestive juices, and replenish fluids. Alternatively, eating half a bowl of plain porridge beforehand is also beneficial.
5. Avoid restricting water intake.
Many office workers restrict their water intake to reduce urination, and this becomes a habit without causing discomfort. However, urine is responsible for excreting various metabolic waste products. Insufficient water intake, coupled with excessive sweating in hot weather, leads to highly concentrated urine and a slow flow in the renal pelvis and ureters. Over time, this can easily result in urinary tract infections and urinary tract stones. Therefore, they should, based on their work schedule and regular break times, drink 200-300 ml (about one cup) of water one hour before their breaks. This will ensure they urinate during breaks and prevent disruption to their work.
6. Avoid excessive consumption of carbonated beverages.
Most beverages are saturated with carbon dioxide, boasting of their "high carbonation." Admittedly, after drinking such beverages, the carbon dioxide rapidly vaporizes in the stomach, absorbing a large amount of heat, thus effectively relieving summer heat. However, excessive consumption is harmful. Furthermore, some beverages use added sodium dihydrogen carbonate as a carbonating agent, resulting in a high sodium concentration. Constantly placing the body in a state of high sodium load is also not harmless. Therefore, moderation is key. What constitutes "moderation"? This varies from person to person; erring on the side of less rather than more seems reasonable.
Did you know what I introduced today? Do you know how to drink water healthily now? Remember to take good care of your body in the hot summer!
