Water is not only one of the six essential nutrients for the human body, but also the most affordable, safe, and effective health supplement, making it very important for human health. So, what are the benefits of drinking water for the elderly?
3 benefits of regular water intake for the elderly
1. Drinking water can prevent constipation
The first glass of water in the morning for the elderly is very important. It not only replenishes the water consumed by the body's metabolism throughout the night but also promotes blood circulation, reduces blood viscosity, and promotes intestinal peristalsis, preventing constipation. After waking up, you can drink a glass of water on an empty stomach. Because we lose a lot of moisture through invisible sweating and urination during sleep, even if you don't feel thirsty after waking up, the body can still have thick blood due to lack of water. Therefore, it is crucial to replenish water with small sips as soon as possible after getting up.
2. Drinking water can reduce the burden on the heart
For the elderly, not drinking water before sleep can lead to plasma concentration, increased blood viscosity, and enhanced platelet aggregation, which can promote thrombosis in the body. For the elderly or people with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ischemic diseases, drinking a glass of water before bed can prevent fatal infarction. Drinking a glass of water 1-2 hours before sleep can also prevent blood from becoming thick at night. It is very important to drink water once more during the night. However, for patients with heart failure and insufficient heart function, it is not advisable to drink a large amount of water before bed, as it will increase the burden on the heart.
3. Drinking water can lower the rate of illness
Because the thirst center in the elderly is not sensitive to dehydration, the elderly should develop the habit of drinking water frequently even when not thirsty. In addition to actively drinking water during the day, they should also drink a glass of water at night to dilute the blood, reduce blood viscosity, and lower the incidence of stroke. As the saying goes, "Water is to the body what wisdom is to the mind." Water itself has a calming and sedative effect on the human body. Drinking appropriate water before bed can not only help the elderly fall asleep quickly but also keep them away from stroke.