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Water benefits

During researching a diet for my old age (to reduce the likelihood of heart problems as I head towards oblivion) I came across the idea of drinking a litre of water first thing upon waking from nights sleep. Apart from that I am trying to replace coffee and tea with water and often drink a glass during my meals. And never drink high sugar drinks. Anyone have a view as to the benefits?


Created By on 21/07/2017

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Ev60
22nd Feb 2019 20:22:15
2
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I believe that drinking a moderate amount of water, as well as tea. coffee and other sugar free drinks is good for us. I tend to drink more water when the weather is warmer but can never imagine myself drinking a litre all at once. I'd never get out of the house for running to the toilet umpteen times! Interesting discussion though.
AntoniaF
16th Jul 2019 15:27:05 (Last activity: 6th Nov 2019 09:24:11)
0
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Hello Happyhacker , drinking plenty of water is beneficial for all ages. And I agree with you sticking to strict diet is essential. the recommeded daily water intake is eight glasses a day. My daily routine; In the morning, I have a glass of water with dash of lemon juice. And before every meal i drink a glass of water.I find this helps my digestive system.I stay clear of coffee and fruit juices.. I make my own smoothie with lots of greeny leaves like kale, broccoli and spinach.. This has help to keep my weight steady.
Response from Pewsey made on 6th Nov 2019 09:24:11
Love your smoothie - I too have something similar.
Pewsey
6th Nov 2019 09:23:12
0
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I don’t know about drinking that much upon waking, but definitely drinking at least 2 litres a day. Tea and coffee are treated by the body as ‘food’ water isn’t - it flushed out toxins and can help to relieve headaches and muscle tensions as well as ensuring constipation is kept at bay. Many older people won’t drink as much saying it’ll make them go to the loo. My own experiences in that direction are - if we tell ourselves regularly that’s what’s going to happen - it will - because our body hears all that we say about it and because it wants to please us, it makes happen what we say. The power of the mind is not something to ignore.
[deleted]
11th Aug 2017 20:44:49 (Last activity: 12th Jun 2019 15:13:40)
2
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[deleted]
Response from BeverleyH2 made on 20th Jul 2018 10:24:04
Just read your post (I know very late) but I smiled so true what you've said. 🙂
Response from Flobbin made on 12th Jun 2019 15:13:40
Spot on! I always start my day with a mug of 'Corporation Pop' as we used to call it. Cleans your system

Its all big business now, 'get a meter& only pay for what you use', haha!
Yes its cheaper than 'Water Rates'but there is a fixed 'daily charge', just for the 'priviledge' of being connected(conned might be better. On top of that you pay for what you use.

Don't use a lot so the total cost per cu/ltr is extortionate. Water Company is no longer British, its owned by an Aussie Bank, nuff said!
Yogafan
2nd Jun 2019 11:16:46
1
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As an aussie,we have it ingrained into us to drink drink drink....water that is! Always drank alot of water,even in the cooler months.Hydration keeps everything in order.Dehydration is what causes the problems.Even more so when we get older.People do not drink enough through fear of having to keep going to the toilet,and there starts a vicious circle.Women especially can and are prone to UTI infections due to their urine becoming too strong and crystalised.
Not drinking enough will cause you a myriad of health related issues,so its really best to aim for 1 litre per day.I don't have anything in my water,just plain and you do get used to it.It also keeps your teeth in good condition because it washes any sugar/acid foods off your teeth before they can do damage.
SilverVortex
4th Sep 2018 18:37:44 (Last activity: 22nd Feb 2019 22:54:42)
2
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My understanding is that it isn't good to drink during a meal as this dilutes the stomach acid. We can get a lot of our water needs from eating foods that contain a lot of water, such as green leafy vegetables, which are good for us in so many ways. Drinking a large glass of water upon waking is good for us although, personally, I think a litre is pushing the realms of good for us. It is certainly possible to drink too much water which can over dilute our blood salts, so maybe break it down into four 250ml glasses throughout the first couple of hours of the morning.

Wishing you well and please let us know how you feel...
Response from Raygcox50 made on 22nd Feb 2019 22:54:42
Drinking a hot drink during your food is good for you as it breaks the fats down.
emaking
17th Oct 2017 11:34:04
0
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M0nica
15th Aug 2017 16:55:26 (Last activity: 15th Aug 2017 18:02:59)
0
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No, of course I am not suggesting that if you do all the 'right ' things you can ensure a healthy old age. I have seen too many die prematurely for that, but statistical analysis shows that those who do live a healthy lifestyle are more likely to live longer and in better health than those who don't, which is all I claim for myself.

You were asking the advantages of drinking, what I would consider, excessive amounts of water as a means to improving your diet to ensure a longer life by avoiding heart disease, which is much the same thing.

I merely suggest that the standard recommended healthy life style is more likely to achieve that that any dietary or other lifestyle excesses.
Response from jeanmark made on 15th Aug 2017 18:02:59
Sorry Monica, you must have me confused with someone else. I never asked or suggested that there were advantages of drinking excessive amounts of water, I supported what the NHS recommends of 6 - 8 glasses of fluid a day. I did say that this amount should increase if the weather is very hot and someone is perspiring excessively.

I have never been an advocate of fad diets or any other 'expert' advise even if backed by knowledge and sound evidence.
M0nica
14th Aug 2017 22:00:47 (Last activity: 15th Aug 2017 14:26:37)
0
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Which is why I fully supported the NHS recommendations, which are for fluid intake from all sources, including fluids contained within food, for example, fruit and vegetables, gravy etc. They are not recommending drinking 1.2 litres of water a day, over and above your normal fluid intake. There is a happy medium between getting dehydrated and overhydrated.

I am very wary of any health recommendations that recommend dietary extremes, whether drinking large quantities of water, eating lots of protein, not eating carbohydrates, eliminating food groups or any other dietary fad.

I think one of the reasons I am in good health is that I am one of those boring people who have always acted sensibly where my health is concerned. kept my weight down, not smoked, light drinker (of alcohol), kept fit and eaten my minimum 5 portions of fruit and veg a day for decades before it was officially recommended. That is the way to good health in old age, not dietary extremes, which includes drinking excessive quantities of water.

You are looking for a diet to keep you in good health in old age. This is the very ordinary eating pattern that has worked for me.
Response from jeanmark made on 15th Aug 2017 14:26:37
As I have stated Monica, you are indeed fortunate to be in good health. However, I am sure you didn't mean to imply that if, like you, people have led a healthy lifestyle they won't become ill? I have known many of people who have led very healthy life styles but have still become ill. Yes healthy life styles may help prevent ill health but is in no way a guarantee of such. That is why I believe someone should not be discriminated against because they have the misfortune of needing health care.
M0nica
14th Aug 2017 19:23:37 (Last activity: 14th Aug 2017 20:20:48)
1
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I am not aware of any advantages in drinking lots of water every day. NHS recommendations are that you should consume about 1.2 litres of fluids each day, more in hotter weather or if you are doing work that makes you perspire a lot. Note they say; fluids', not just water. No reason for not drinking coffee, tea or other drinks, although high sugar drinks are best avoided.

Drinking lots of extra fluids will not make your body more hydrated, your kidneys and bladder automatically dispose of any excess fluid in the system, as you have probably found out. However, drinking water or other fluids to excess can be dangerous. because flushing out the excess fluid can cause the amount of salt and other electrolytes in your body to become too diluted. In extreme situations this can be fatal. People have died from extreme overhydration.

My guide to healthy eating in old age can be summed up in the words of the American food writer, Michael Pollan; 'Eat well, not too much, most of it plants'. His other aphorism, to add to the first is: ' If it is made from a plant, eat it; If it is made in a plant(factory), don't'.

It has worked for me. I am in my mid-70s, not overweight, physically fit, with no medical problems and on no medication.
Response from jeanmark made on 14th Aug 2017 20:20:48
Monica, you are indeed lucky to have no health problems but I don't think the NHS advise of drinking around 6 - 8 glasses of fluid a day is unreasonable. They do not advocate drinking in excess of this unless the weather is much hotter than usual and I can assure you that people can get dehydrated quickly in very hot weather, and that in itself is dangerous.
ArchieUK
26th Jul 2017 08:12:27 (Last activity: 26th Jul 2017 13:43:33)
0
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jeanmark
I do not know what a good whiskey is, I have only been drinking whiskey for 30 years so perhaps your knowledge is greater than mine.

A drop of water in a glass of whiskey helps to free some of the aroma of the spirit and helps it to give up some of the hidden flavours, but anybody knows that.
Response from jeanmark made on 26th Jul 2017 13:43:33
My knowledge is not greater as I don't drink alcohol, but friends who like a good malt appear to abhor the thought of anyone adding water. Me, I prefer water to alcohol, so much more refreshing and I never lose control as a result..................
ArchieUK
25th Jul 2017 09:48:22 (Last activity: 25th Jul 2017 14:42:10)
2
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I like water, even more, when it is added to whiskey
Response from jeanmark made on 25th Jul 2017 14:42:10
A good whiskey doesn't require water.......
jeanmark
23rd Jul 2017 12:43:32
0
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I think the benefits of drinking water are well established as an effective way of keeping hydrated. Drinking hot water is as refreshing as drinking tea or coffee but I'm afraid I drink all three and will continue to do so. Drinking de-caf tea and coffee demos help some people. I have never drunk high sugar drinks as I have always preferred water.

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