8 Times to Drink Water Correctly for Health and to Lose 10 Pounds
Some people love to drink sweet carbonated drinks and coffee before starting a weight loss journey, but these are not what the body truly needs. They contain a large number of dehydrating factors that not only cause the water entering the body to be quickly expelled but also carry away the body's reserved water. Water is the undisputed source of life; the hydroelectric energy it provides is the direct energy source for the brain and all body cells. Moreover, according to Dr. Batmanghelidj, water is a "clean" energy source that does not accumulate in the body but is excreted with urine, taking away toxins from the body as well.
Hydroelectric energy is especially important for brain activity. If the body is dehydrated, the brain needs to constantly absorb sugar from the blood to maintain normal function. When blood sugar levels drop, the body's balance mechanism sends nerve signals that stimulate us to eat, especially foods that are easily converted into glucose, such as starches and proteins. This is why we sometimes suddenly crave cake or sweets. The food consumed is converted into blood sugar by the liver to supply the brain's needs. However, only 20% of the blood circulation passes through the brain, meaning only 20% of the blood sugar is completely broken down. The rest is stored by the liver and eventually converted into fat, which is stored in adipose tissue through the bloodstream. Moreover, fat cells themselves can absorb sugar from the blood and convert it into fat.
So, how exactly should one drink water?
First, you must avoid drinks containing caffeine and alcohol, especially carbonated drinks like Coke. These things are not considered water at all (even sugar-free Coke with zero calories cannot be used as drinking water; drinking too much of it can actually lead to obesity, which is explained in detail in another chapter of my book).
It is best to drink pure water. Note that this refers to pure water, meaning water without sugar, caffeine, or alcohol, which is tap water that meets US drinking standards, not the bottled pure water we see in supermarkets. Brands like XXX pure water are called purified water, which is distilled water. It removes all impurities from the water, but it also removes the essential minerals that the human body needs. Long-term, large-quantity consumption can deplete the body's own minerals, causing nutritional deficiencies.
The concept of "eight glasses of water a day" that we've heard before is too abstract. How big are these eight glasses? According to this book, the human body needs about 4 liters of water per day in total, of which about 2 liters are used for urination, so the kidneys have ample water supply and less pressure. Healthy urine should be transparent and slightly yellow, while for overweight people or those with chronic diseases, it is dark yellow. In addition, more than a liter is lost through evaporation with breathing, and the rest is lost through sweat and evaporation from the skin's surface. Some water is also carried away by feces to maintain normal intestinal peristalsis. In hot weather, the body needs more water.
Maintain continuous hydration throughout the day
Maintain continuous hydration throughout the day, especially before engaging in physical activity. After intense exercise, do not drink water in large gulps; take small sips to replenish moisture slowly. It is also best to sip water consistently throughout the day. However, in cases of severe constipation, drinking several large gulps of warm water can be very effective for stimulating the bowels and helping with bowel movements;
No matter how hot the weather, women should not drink ice water. Maintaining warmth and sufficient, unobstructed blood and energy flow in the body is the fundamental principle of weight loss;
People who are prone to edema should avoid drinking water four hours before bed and should go to the hospital to check if there are any problems with kidney function.
The correct way to drink water for weight loss:
1. A glass of warm honey water or light salt water upon waking to replenish the water evaporated during sleep, awaken the body's functions, and help the liver and kidneys detoxify;
2. A glass of water half an hour before each meal to allow the water to be fully absorbed to form gastric juice, preparing the stomach for digesting food. This not only helps control food intake but also prevents problems such as bloating, heartburn, enteritis, and constipation;
3. Drink 250-400 ml of water two hours after a meal to promote the secretion of satiety hormones, enhance intestinal digestive function, and also prevent the body from experiencing false hunger due to dehydration;
4. Maintain continuous hydration throughout the day, especially before engaging in physical activity. After intense exercise, do not drink water in large gulps; take small sips to replenish moisture slowly;
5. No matter how hot the weather, women should not drink ice water. Maintaining warmth and sufficient, unobstructed blood and energy flow in the body is the fundamental principle of weight loss;
6. People who are prone to edema should avoid drinking water four hours before bed and should go to the hospital to check if there are any problems with kidney function. A glass of warm honey water or light salt water upon waking to replenish the water evaporated during sleep, awaken the body's functions, and help the liver and kidneys detoxify;
7. A glass of water half an hour before each meal to allow the water to be fully absorbed to form gastric juice, preparing the stomach for digesting food. This not only helps control food intake but also prevents problems such as bloating, heartburn, enteritis, and constipation.
8. It is best to sip water consistently throughout the day. However, in cases of severe constipation, drinking several large gulps of warm water can be very effective for stimulating the bowels and helping with bowel movements.