What are common myths and facts about water we come across daily?

Overview

Myths and facts are a part of critical study. When we ponder over some topics, we come across plenty of myths that can make us confused and double-minded about the credibility of that particular thing. Likewise, when we try to focus on our health and want to follow a properly made-up schedule for drinking enough water, we come to know much unnecessary information as well. In this write up we would be discussing the myths and facts about drinking water we usually hear.

Myth no.1

Drinking 8 glasses of water a day is the thumb rule

This is the most common myth we keep listening to. But the reality is different. It can be assumed that initially the DWA ( daily water allowance) was supposed to be 8 glasses to make water intake simple and easy to follow. 8 glasses are advised just to value the water intake but it has no backup. However, it covers the total liquid intake including fancy beverages.

Everyone should drink water as per their body requirements. If someone drinks 8 glasses of water a day and his bladder becomes overactive resulting in restroom sickness, it can affect his health negatively. Moreover, kidney and liver patients should consult with their primary care physician to follow a diet or water intake program.

Drink water as per your body's requirement.

Myth No. 2

Bottled water is unhealthy for teeth

It is assumed that if we drink water from bottles we may lose our teeth but this is not a proven fact.

It is good to drink water with a clean glass but if you have bottled water, it is not bad either.

The backup behind this theory may be that bottled water is not containing fluorides and fluorides keep our teeth healthy.

Skipping fluorides in our daily toothpaste can result in anticipation of tooth infection. The inclusion of fluorides helps maintaining oral health.

 

Myth No.3

Skin health is related to water intake

The human body consists of 60 percent water so it is wrong to think that a few glasses of water intake would make a big difference. It may leave a good effect on the skin but taking care of the skin from the sun and heat is more important.

However, if you drink water just to make your skin young, busting up this myth may be a little disappointing for you but it does not mean that you should stop drinking enough water.

 

Myth No. 4

Being thirsty is a sign of severe dehydration

We usually misinterpret the term dehydration. Dehydration is not losing the water content.

Our body goes through dehydration when we lose up to 5 percent of electrolytes and water of total body weight.

So being thirsty means our brain wants us to drink water and meet our daily requirements. Feeling thirsty is just a sign that it is time to drink water. It is not about losing minerals and electrolytes.

Even if you are a health-anxious person, feeling a bit extra thirsty (on some hot day or due to having certain medication or eating spicy food) should not make you feel panicked, you just need to coordinate with your brain and sip water.

 

Myth No. 5

Sportsman must drink vitamin-enriched fluids

Being an athlete demand a high level of energy to meet up with sports requirements. Water and other essential nutrients are an important part of the diet of a sportsman. However, it is commonly supposed that a sportsman should drink high-energy drinks that are vitamin enriched to prevent dehydration and a dip in energy.

But the fact is that a sportsman must keep his body hydrated and drink enough water during practices and professional competitions. Water is an easily accessible liquid and is not expensive at all while vitamin-enriched drinks are expensive and not essential for the body.

So to break this myth, sports persons can drink simple water during their workouts and matches and their bodies won’t go dehydrated.

 

Vitamin-enriched drinks are not essential but lemon water is super healthy.

Myth No. 6

Workouts lead to excessive dehydration

Workouts may require energy but they don’t essentially cause dehydration.

During exercise, it is advised to drink a glass of water after every hour or even sooner, it would keep the body active.

But if you are going to visit the market for grocery shopping or walking around a park on a hot day, your body won’t go dehydrated and water deficient.

 

Workouts are not tiring and dehydrating.

Myth No. 7

Consuming more water is the main cause of weight loss. 

This is also one of the most common myths regarding water intake. Drinking water before meals results in decreased intake of food and ultimately calorie control. Calories deficit would finally help in the weight loss journey.

Water is not directly involved in losing extra weight nor is it an essential part of your weight loss diet plan. However, it can indirectly help you lose extra weight by making you eat less and, triggering metabolic activities.

 

Additional safety tip

Don’t drink water from old and reused plastic bottles

Plastic bottles can be unhealthy for health because they may release a few chemicals that are not good for human health. Moreover, a long-used plastic bottle can become a reservoir for microbes and lead to infections of various types.

It is advised not to use the same plastic bottle for too long.

 

The reuse of plastic bottles is not safe!

Take-home message

Water is essential for keeping the body in an optimal state and helps it perform numerous activities. Everyone is different and he should follow his water intake schedule according to his requirements.

Sports persons can easily replace expensive vitamin-enriched liquids with water. It won’t affect their performance.

Working on a hot day, won’t essentially make you feel dehydrated and without a prior history,  when you are feeling a little more thirsty than usual, you just need to drink more water. It is not a serious health issue.

 

Candid dialogue

If you are aiming to lose weight, you can drink water before meals so that you can end up eating a few bites.

Dehydration is not so easy process and if you are afraid of doing workouts due to fear of getting dehydration, you can relax and do exercise that suits you.