Do you drink a lot of water? I do … sometimes. I go through periods where I’m really great about it, and then I fall of the water wagon and get most of my liquids from, well, coffee. I’ve always felt like it wasn’t a big deal, because a recent National Academy of Sciences panel determined that people who grab a glass when they’re thirsty–as opposed to trying to get the proverbial eight glasses a day–generally consume enough water to stay healthy and hydrated. But now a new survey in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has me thinking I should make more of an effort to drink up.
Researchers at Queens College of the City University of New York looked at a government survey of over more than 12,000 people and found that people who drink more plain water–as opposed to beverages that contain water, like coffee, tea, juice and soda–eat more fiber and consume less sugar and “calorie-dense” foods than those who opt for flavored drinks.
The researchers say that it’s not necessarily proof that drinking water suddenly turns you into a health nut. But there does seem to be a strong association between water and a good diet. And the more I think about it, the more I realize that my healthiest friends are all the type to carry a water bottle around with them. Plus, when I read this study, it occurred to me that I just feel better–and yes, healthier, for whatever reason–when I drink lots of water. Which is why I’m going to try to drink more water from here on out.
–Camille
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Camille
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That makes a lot of sense. Another benefit of water, for me anyway, is it wakes me up in the morning. Even after a good night’s sleep, I’m one of those people who doesn’t wake up easily, but now I get a glass of ice water right away, and that helps a lot. If nothing else, it wakes me up enough to make a proper pot of coffee.
One useful tip from my sister the nutritionist is to get the water between meals rather than with, since water will tend to interfere w/ healthy digestion (by thinning down your stomach acid).
This seems quite right to me. I often get headaches when I don’t drink enough water (which usually means at least 8 glasses a day) and am much more prone to muscle aches. There must be a whole host of other ailments that come with even moderate dehydration. My father used to make endless fun of me for drinking so much water – until he ended up in a SoCal emergency room after passing out from dehydration!