Science & The Spirit

Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 

GET ON YOUR FEET

Health Helps Part 6

By Dane and Vicki Griffin

 Have you ever wondered how much water Americans drink every day? If you stood above Niagara Falls in full flow, in just two minutes, you would see 138 million gallons of water thunder off those cliffs. That’s how much water Americans should be drinking every day—but we actually drink barely enough water to keep the falls running for one minute.

Instead, Americans drink other things. Every day they drink enough coffee to keep the falls running at full volume for more than 30 seconds! In addition, the average American consumes 537 cans of soda pop every year. In the South, the number goes up—to 663 cans per person per year. That’s enough soda to keep the falls going for 45 seconds.

So who’s drinking water? One person in ten surveyed admitted to not drinking any water at all, and on the average, Americans are drinking barely half the amount they need.

Too little water

We’re not simply getting less water than we need. The ingredients in many drinks, such as caffeine and alcohol, can actually cause our bodies to lose water. In addition, high sugar content can slow the body’s ability to absorb the water. If you are not getting enough water, your body becomes dehydrated, and that can make you tired, irritable, and mentally fuzzy or confused. It’s also harder for your body to get rid of toxins and salts. This means an increased risk of kidney stones, infections, and hormonal disturbances.
If you had to drink all the water your body uses for its different functions, you’d have to drink at least 200 gallons a day! Fortunately, your body reuses all but a small amount—but you really need that small amount!

Five cheers for water!

You need about eight glasses of water per day. Why? Here are five important reasons:

1. Water is basic to balanced nutrition. It helps in the digestive process to break, soften, and transport food.

2. Water controls body temperature, through perspiration.

3. Water is a lubricant. In the same way that oil prevents friction between machinery parts, water prevents friction between the body’s joints and muscles.

4. Water minimizes dehydration.

5. Water reduces stress on the circulatory system. It enables your blood, which is 90% water, to carry life and energy-giving nutrients to the body’s cells.

An important tip

Try having a glass of water about 45 minutes before breakfast. It will charge your digestive system so your stomach will be ready for breakfast. Then, instead of drinking with your meals, which dilutes digestive juices and causes indigestion, drink your water between meals.
Are you thirsty?

Jesus tells us, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters” (Isaiah 55:1). When we see how important water is to life and health, is it any wonder that Jesus refers to Himself and the precious gospel invitation as “the Water of Life”? We all need plenty of water—both physically and spiritually. Will you come? Will you drink?

Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20

Copyright © LifeStyle Matters, Inc.