Water is the source of life, and for humans, the importance of water is self-evident. With the development of society, people are paying more and more attention to their own health and emphasizing the correct way of nurturing themselves. Drinking water, a seemingly simple problem, actually contains many truths. How to drink water, the amount of water, the quality of water, and the temperature of water are also crucial issues that deserve our attention.
The saying 'Eight glasses of water a day is beneficial to one's health' has become a wise saying to guide countless people in drinking water. However, can drinking water like this really make everyone healthier?
The answer, of course, is no. People of different age groups naturally have different amounts of water to drink. The amount of water consumed by people of the same age group should also be determined based on their own situation. The kidney governs water and fluid, and the gasification effect of essence and qi in the kidney has the function of regulating and controlling the movement, distribution, and excretion of water and fluid throughout the body. However, for an elderly person in their sixties, increasing age leads to a decrease in their own kidney function and a gradual decline in kidney sperm. The gasification effect of essence in the kidney also weakens. If the elderly do not drink according to their own actual situation, they will also drink the same amount of water as young people. Not only will it not contribute to physical health, but it may also cause discomfort and induce the occurrence of diseases.
For example, people with poor kidney and liver function need to adjust their water intake based on the amount of water they excrete. Drinking too much water may cause edema. This is because the kidney governs water, and kidney qi is the driving force for the metabolism of semen. Insufficient kidney qi cannot vaporize water. The liver is responsible for regulating the flow of blood and semen. If the liver is diseased and the liver qi is not properly regulated, it cannot promote the circulation and distribution of blood and semen. These two factors cause water retention in the body, leading to edema.
For example, people with spleen and kidney deficiency cannot drink a large amount of water. Excessive drinking water may lead to abdominal distension, diarrhea, etc. Spleen and stomach deficiency cannot dissipate water and may also transform into dampness, dryness, and phlegm stagnation. Drinking water should not only be determined according to one's own specific situation, but also adapt to seasonal changes. For example, in hot summer weather, when the pores of the human body are relatively dilated and the metabolism of water increases, it is necessary to increase the amount of water consumed to ensure sufficient water in the body.
In winter, when it is cold and the body's water metabolism decreases, one can appropriately reduce their own water intake.
In addition, the increase or decrease in water consumption is also related to other factors. For example, after vigorous exercise, a large amount of water in the body is excreted in the form of sweat, resulting in increased drinking water. For example, if there are more outdoor activities during the day, it is also important to promptly replenish the water lost by the body.
There is also a time difference in drinking water, which is equally important as the amount of water consumed. For example, a glass of water is crucial in the morning. As we all know, when sleeping at night, the human body will consume a large amount of water in the body through skin, breathing and urine, resulting in a decrease in water in the blood and an increase in blood viscosity. If the body fails to replenish the missing water in a timely manner in the morning, it will be in a state of dehydration. A glass of water in the morning can not only reduce the viscosity of blood, but also lubricate the intestines, soften stools, facilitate defecation, and prevent constipation.
Drinking water before meals also plays an important role in maintaining good health. This is because our digestive organs, including the intestines and stomach, need to consume a certain amount of water when digesting food. Drinking water before meals can lubricate the esophagus, increase appetite, lubricate the intestines, and promote digestion and absorption.
A glass of water before bedtime to prepare for nighttime water consumption. Sleeping soundly results in water consumption and an increase in blood viscosity. A glass of water before bedtime can reduce blood viscosity and effectively reduce the risk of heart attack. This is because the heart dominates the blood vessels, with high blood viscosity and poor blood flow, which can easily lead to diseases such as angina pectoris and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Drinking water appropriately can reduce the risk of developing diseases. Drinking water in a timely manner can effectively help the body maintain health, but improper drinking can lead to discomfort. For example, avoid drinking cold water after meals. Drinking water before meals helps digestion and absorption, while drinking water after meals is the opposite. This is because during meals, saliva in the mouth, gastric juice in the stomach, and digestive fluid in the intestines work together to digest food. When we drink water while eating or after meals, it will reduce the secretion of saliva in the mouth and dilute gastric juice, affecting the digestion of food. Moreover, diluting gastric juice can also dilute the stomach acid that kills bacteria and bacteria. Gastroenteritis may be caused by the easy reproduction of bacteria.