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Up
to 70% of the total body weight is due to water. Although
it is present in all parts of the body, it is more in
organs such as lungs and brain and fluids such as blood,
lymph, saliva and secretions by the organs of the digestive
system. Most people believe that we feel thirsty whenever
our body needs more water. While this is true, recent
research studies have indicated that there are several
other indicators of inadequate water in some or all
parts of the body. Ignoring these indicators can lead
to several major diseases that medicines may cure but
not treat.
The
ratio of the water content in and outside the cells
of the various organs is very important. As age advances,
water content in the cells decreases. Since the water
content in each cell plays a vital role in maintaining
is normal function, inadequate water can lead to loss
of some functions. Loss of functions results in specific
signs and symptoms. Water is necessary for all chemical
reactions in the body and to maintain normal health.
Just as water helps a seed grow into a tree, it also
helps our body grow from birth to adulthood. The flow
of water inside and outside the cells generates energy.
This energy is stored in the body along with other chemical
sources.
The
energy generated by the water in the cells helps transmit
impulses in the nerves. It helps in the formation of
a glue-like material that generates the solid substances
in the walls of the cells to be "stuck" to
each other. It transports the chemical substances produced
by the brain that carry its messages to different parts
of the body. Just as there are lanes on a main road
for different types of vehicles, chemical substances
of the brain are transported in the "water lanes"
along the length of the nerves. Water content in the
body influences the functions of the various proteins
and enzymes that are dissolved in it.
Water
helps maintain the moisture of the lining of the internal
organs of the body. It maintains normal volume and consistency
of fluids such as blood and lymph. It regulates body
temperature. It removes "poisons" or "toxins"
from the body through urine, sweat and breathing. Water
is essential for regulating the normal structure and
functions of the skin. The body loses about four liters
of water every day. It is therefore necessary to replenish
this volume by drinking at least the equivalent amount
of water every day. Inadequate intake of water can lead
to dehydration.Cold
water from natural sources is fit for drinking because
of six main reasons:
Lowers
the body temperature.
Dilutes the blood to the required consistency.
Promotes excretion of poisons from the skin in the form
of "evaporation".
Stimulates the normal functions of the kidneys and therefore
increases the rate of removal of "poisons"
from the body through urine.
Increases movements of the intestines.
Facilitates formation and passing of soft stools.
Sipping hot water has several benefits too:
For
example, as soon as you drink hot water, there is instant
stimulation of the inner lining of the stomach and contraction
of its blood vessels. Thus, you are less likely to suffer
from increased acid secretions in the stomach.
Hot water cleans the stomach, relieves heartburn, belching,
flatulence, acute indigestion, vomiting and cramps in
the abdomen.
It is important to remember that hot water should be
sipped and not gulped.
Hydrotherapy is a branch of healing systems that deals
with the management of diseases such as headache, constipation,
high blood pressure, etc. by using water, either as
an external application or taken internally or both.
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