CONNECTIONS THE MAY FLOWERS IISSUE MAY 2016

My Connections Magazine
CONNECTIONS May 2016
this, it is prudent for seniors to learn to
get into the water drinking habit more.
Body water loss through sweat is an
inherent cooling mechanism in hot
weather and during physical activity.
Sweat loss needs to be compensated for
with fluid intake.
Dehydration can influence cognition and
even a mild level can disrupt mood,
concentration, alertness, and short-term
memory in children, young adults, and
the elderly.
Constipation has a number of causes,
including medications, inadequate fiber,
poor diet, and illness. An increase in
fluid intake is popularly recommended
as a remedy, but the evidence suggests
that more liquid is only effective for
individuals who are dehydrated. In the
elderly, however, those who consume
the least amount of fluid have over twice
the frequency of constipation compared
to those consuming the most.
Your kidneys have a primary role in
regulating water balance and blood
pressure as well as removing waste from
the blood stream and excreting it
through the urine. Water is necessary for
the filtration of waste.
Dehydration can lead to headaches,
including migraine, and in the case of
water-induced headache, drinking water
often provides relief within 30 minutes
to 3 hours. The role of water, however,
as a form of prevention in the general
population of headache sufferers, is not
known.
The skin contains about 30 percent
water, but there is little evidence
indicating that drinking more water
every day (such as 8 to 10 glasses) will
flush toxins from the skin and generate a
“glowing complexion,” as is widely
touted in beauty magazines and via the
Internet. Adequate skin hydration won’t
prevent wrinkles or other signs
of aging that are typically connected to
genetics, the sun, and environmental
damage. Skin dryness is usually linked
to exposure to dry air, prolonged contact
with hot water, and scrubbing with soap,
as well as certain medical conditions
and medications.
Good water intake reduces the risk of
developing stones in the urinary tract
(kidneys, bladder, and urethra).
Can Water Help You Lose
Weight?
Yes, according to a 2010 study (Dennis),
and all it takes is just two 8-ounce glasses of
water just before you eat.
In the study, researchers from Virginia Tech
found that over a 12 week period, dieters
who drank water before meals, three times a
week, lost about 5 pounds more than dieters
who did not increase their water intake.
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