Organic Buying Club of So. Fla.

WATER: IT’S ALL WET!

By Jayne Rosenbaum and Nadine Tanis
Did you know that thirst is a sign of dehydration; loss of body water accelerates aging; and water is the
most natural and cheapest appetite suppressant? Yes, water is essential to our existence to facilitate
absorption of all nutrients and vitamins. A few days without water can be fatal to anyone while most
healthy individuals can survive approximately 40 days without food. Water is second only to oxygen in
importance for our survival. Seventy nine percent of our body is water. Our health and existence depends
on the efficient use of water, regulating and monitoring every cell. Water is essential for digestion, nutrient
absorption and elimination. Water directs every nutrient—mineral, vitamin, protein, salt and sugar-to where
it needs to go Water Aids circulation. It helps control the body’s temperature. It lubricates joints and acts
as a shock absorber for joints, bones, and muscles. Water moisturizes our skin and flushes toxins as well as
wastes from our body. It even transports messages from our brain cells to our nerve endings. The benefits
of water do not end with its consumption. Water therapy has been used for years as a cleansing and healthrestorative
treatment.
If water is so important, how much water should we consume daily? Most health experts recommend
drinking at least eight to ten 8-ounce glasses of water daily at room temperature if possible. Ice-cold water
can harm the delicate lining of your stomach. Water containing minute amounts of sugar and sodium is
absorbed into the body more quickly. Too much salt and/or sugar slow absorption and discomfort may
occur. If you are physically active or working under hot weather conditions, you need to drink more water.
In fact isotonic/sports drinks (you don’t have to buy the commercial ones. You can make your own. See
recipe at the end of article) are recommended to anyone performing highly physical activities. If you are
involved in outside activities on a hot day, consume one or two extra 8-ounce glasses. When you take
caffeinated and/or alcoholic beverages (also known as dehydrating beverages), you should have one extra
8-ounce glass of water for every caffeinated and/or alcoholic beverage you drink. Nursing mothers should
also have three additional 8-ounce glasses of water per day. Lately we have had some very cold days in
South Florida. Keep in mind that the colder it gets the more water our body needs because it requires more
energy to maintain our normal (98.6o) body temperature. If you exercise and would like to make sure you
consume enough water, the International Bottle Water Association (IBWA) offers a hydration calculator on
its website free of charge. Here is a link to it: http://www.bottledwater.org/public/html/input1.html.
Don’t worry about drinking too much water. Water is the best treatment against retaining too much fluids.
Once your body has enough water, it will naturally release the excess.
How do you know your body has the supply of water it needs to function efficiently? Check your urine. If
your urine color is dark yellow, start drinking more water. Also, if you are hydrated, you should urinate
every few hours. When your body is well-hydrated, fluid retention decreases; gland and hormone functions
improve. The liver breaks down and releases more fat. Your need for food decreases as your body
optimizes its use of nutrients that are supplied it every time you eat. Consuming organic products is
extremely important to aid the body in maximizing its use of nutrients. Since chemicals and fertilizers are
not used in sustainable agriculture, products from organic farms do not contain toxins that would require
our body to use a great amount of water to remove them. Another reason why many of us are suffering
from dehydration is because we reduce our intake of fats (including good Omega-3 fats and other essential
fatty acids) so much that our bodies aren’t able to hold or use the water they take in. To offset this
problem, Linda Page, a traditional naturopath, recommends adding sea veggies—kelp, kombu, nori,
wakame, dulse, etc.—to our diet.
Most people wait until they are thirsty to drink water. They should not because thirst is nature’s way of
telling us that our body is already severely dehydrated. Thirst occurs when the volume of body fluids is
significantly reduced. Dehydration is one of the top ten causes of hospital stays among elderly. It causes
chronic constipation, urinary tract infections, vascular problems like hemorrhoids and varicose veins,
kidney stones and even many degenerative diseases like arthritis. Dehydration has even been associated
with certain cancers. By allowing the body to eliminate carcinogens, water drinking becomes an effective
tool to protect the body against cancers of the urinary tract, colon and breast. Other signs that you might be
dehydrated are unexplained headaches, usually with some dizziness and fatigue; unexplained irritability,
impatience, restlessness and difficulty sleeping; unusually dry skin and loss of appetite along with
constipation, unexplained weight gain and swollen hands and/or feet (from water retention)…
What kind of water should you drink? Most tap water is chlorinated, fluoridated, and treated to a point
where it losses its healthful properties. If you are unable to buy bottle water and the water in our area is
treated with chlorine, put tap water in a container let it stay overnight for most of chlorine to evaporate.
You can drink it the next day. This is a healthier solution than not drinking water and substituting it with
other types of liquid drinks. Water is irreplaceable. Water chlorination causes adverse environmental and
health effects over the years. However, fluoridation process is very controversial since fluoride is more
toxic than lead. To read more about fluoride and its impact on your health go to
www.keepersofthewell.org; http://www.sonic.net/kryptox/fluoride.htm; www.nofluoride.com; or
www.fluoridation.com. You can install a water filter to remove some impurities from the water you drink
and use everyday.
If you drink bottled water, here are some facts about the different type available. Mineral water comes
from natural springs and contains some minerals. In the state of Florida, it is tested for purity. Distilled
water is spring or tap water that is de-mineralized so only oxygen and hydrogen remain. Distilling is
accomplished by filtering or boiling then converting to steam and recondensing. It is the purest water used
mainly in detox programs and herbal formulas but not for everyday use. Sparkling water comes from
natural carbonation in underground spring or bottles can be artificially infused with CO2 to maintain a
standard fizz. Its virtues includes aiding digestion and in cooking is excellent to tenderize or add lightness
to a recipe. Artesian well water, known as the Cadillac of natural waters, comes from a deep
uncontaminated source. It has a slight fizz from the bubbling up under rock pressure. Micro-clustered
bottle water is the latest technology. It is an ultra-premium purified drinking water and is the cleanestknown
bottled water. This water allows rapid rehydration and is known to enhance absorption of herbs,
supplements and food nutrients.
Starting on February 13, 2006 the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department is changing its method of
chlorination for two weeks as required by the county’s Health Department and Department of
Environmental Resources Management. “Specifically drinking water will be treated with free chlorine,
instead of the combined chlorine (chloramine), which is normally used.” If you have questions, call 305-
520-4738 if you live north of Southwest 8th Street and 305-275-3770 if you live south.
Water is used also externally in health treatments. We all can remember how good we felt after an ocean
walk. The sea (breathing it and/or bathing in it) can reduce tension and de-stress us, detoxify our bodies,
improve circulation, relieve allergies and congestion, and ease arthritis symptoms. If you don’t live near
the ocean, alternating hot and cold showers will increase lymph drainage, discharge toxins, improve blood
flow, stimulate metabolic activities, tone muscles, relax bowel and bladder tightness as well as boost
energy. Begin with a hot shower for three minutes,. followed with a sudden change to cold water for two
minutes. Repeat this cycle three times, ending with cold water. After this, do a brisk towel rub and then
finish with some light stretching exercises.
A good diet with adequate water intake is one of the best ways to improve you appearance as well as to
protect you from the effects of harmful substances. Water can help you prevent, treat, and cure a variety of
health conditions at no cost. Make sure the water you drink is clean and mineral-rich. Remember there
are no substitutes to water. Drink plenty of it each day. It will help you maintain your youth. Don’t forget
water is the best and cheapest appetite suppressant.
Isotonic Drink: Dilute one part of organic fruit juice with one part filtered water – or dilute one part of
organic fruit blended with four parts filtered water; Add 0.04 – 0.05 ounces of salt to each liter, shake and
enjoy!
For more information on organic fruits, water filters and other products available through the Organic
Produce Buying Club of South Florida, please contact Jayne Rosenbaum at 305-868-2136 or visit our
website at: www.OrganicBuyingClubSoFla.com
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F. Batmanghelidj (1995). Your Body’s Many Cries for Water.
Australia: Global Health Solutions.
F. Batmanghelidj (2003). Water: For Health, for Healing, for Life: You’re Not Sick,
You’re Thirsty! Indiana: Warner Books
Miami Herald – Monday, February 13, 2006: Action line.