The Importance of Hydration

Image credit((Source: “Bottle of water being poured into drinking glass,” CC0 Creative Commons License via Pixabay »))

Hands On Healing understands the importance of keeping your body properly hydrated. Please contact us if you have any questions or need additional information.

We’re located in Montgomery, Alabama.

A Tall Drink of Water

Drinking water is by no means a new concept, and it could even be considered a bit of a redundant speech to discuss the subject.

Almost everyone knows that the human body is more than 65% water, and the average person will suffer serious health problems within only days without it.

However, when we ask our clients how much water they drink every day, the single most common response is, “I’m not exactly sure how much, but I know it’s not enough.”

Given that most people know how important staying hydrated is, and they are aware that they need to do better, this article will cover some of the pertinent details of water and its influence on bodily health.

Although anyone could easily do an internet search for information regarding drinking water, it’s easy to get lost in the plethora of mixed information.

How Much Water Do I Need Each Day?

Most people are likely familiar with the classic eight, 8-ounce glasses of water a day.

However, the more widely accepted viewpoint today on proper fluid intake is half a person’s bodyweight in ounces to stay properly hydrated.

New Research Regarding Fluid Intake

What other concepts have changed, and what does the research show?

In the last few years researchers have come to the realization that because of poor diet and lack of water intake, much of the population is likely suffering from chronic, low level dehydration, leading to a general weakening of the body’s internal cellular environment.

This could contribute to any number of health problems, such as digestive issues and poor nutrient uptake, respiratory dysfunctions and skin conditions.

Water’s Effect on Fascial Tissue

A recent research article investigated the effects of dehydration on collagen fibers, the tissue that predominately makes up fascia.

What they discovered is that as water was extracted from collagen in tendons (fascia), the change in the tissue exerted tremendous force on the body, up to 300 times that of a muscle!

This remarkable discovery has the potential to vastly change the fields of bodywork and manual therapies, and it helps to settle some very long-held controversies over the validity of fascia being a contributing factor in some health conditions.

With the now-recognized effects that water has on fascial tissues, it is becoming even more essential that everyone begins to take the appropriate measures to ensure they are fully hydrated.

How Long Does It Take to Hydrate?

Another great research point has a bit to say on what it takes to properly hydrate.

A study from the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research has shown that it takes about 45 minutes to fully hydrate the body.((Heather M. Logan-Sprenger and Lawrence L. Spriet, “The Acute Effects of Fluid Intake on Urine Specific Gravity and Fluid Retention in a Mildly Dehydrated State,” The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 27, no. 4 (2013): 1002–8. Link » opens new window))

This means that the perception that someone needs to drink heavy amounts of fluid throughout the entire day to keep hydrated is no longer necessary, and in fact an occasional stop at the water cooler may be enough to help combat the effects of chronic dehydration.

Water Retention

In some instances, it is very possible that the average person may not be actually absorbing the water they are drinking into their cells.

This is because of the balance of electrolytes that the body uses to properly conduct osmosis, the movement of water into a cell, while also removing waste products.

While many commercially available drinks can be used to get electrolytes into the body, there are a number of at-home recipes that can be made that don’t contain as much sugar.

Check out the recipe we’ve provided below!

At Home Electrolyte Beverage

Combine the ingredients below over low heat until fully mixed, then cool and store in fridge till ready!

• 1 quart distilled water (green tea, coconut water)
• 1/8 to 1/4 tsp Himalayan sea salt (kosher sea salt)
• 1/4 cup or more juice (grape, apple, lemon etc.)
• 1-2 TBSP sweetener (honey, stevia, erythritol)

Other options and combinations can be found through a simple internet search. Enjoy!