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In order to appreciate the health benefits of drinking water, I have found it most helpful to look at health from the cellular level.
Scientists tell us that we have somewhere between 70 to 100 trillion cells in our bodies.
Common sense tells us that if we have healthy cells, we will have a healthy body. So, what constitutes a healthy cell?
I could write a whole book on this topic. It is fascinating and inspiring to delve into the workings of the highly intelligent and complex functioning of the human body, especially at the cellular level.
However, to summarize, I believe the simplest answer to cellular health is this:
A healthy cell is one in which the nutrients can easily get into the cell and the toxins can efficiently get out.
This process is referred to as “cell water turnover” and I believe the efficiency of this process is the essence of physical health. Adequate hydration is obviously essential to cell water turnover.
Our cells need nutrients to survive. Not only is water the transport fluid for nutrients to get into the cells, water itself is a nutrient.
In fact, oxygen and water are the most important nutrients for the human body. Thus, water plays an important metabolic role in all functions in the body.
Eliminating waste is another one of the essential health benefits of drinking water and efficient cell water turnover. This is the factor that I think people overlook the most.
According to Dr. William J. Yarwood, who practiced natural healing and nutritional therapy with thousands of patients over 30 years:
“All diseases are nothing more than different expressions of toxicity."
He says it works like this: “Genetically, each of us has stronger and weaker areas in our bodies. As you accumulate toxins during your lifetime, your toxins congregate in the weakest areas of your body because that is where they get the least resistance.
“When enough toxins have accumulated in a part of your body, they will manifest themselves in the form of a disease that is indigenous to that part of the body.”
With rare exceptions, I believe optimal health ultimately comes down to the quality of the environment within the body. And that environment is primarily composed of water.
Over the years I have heard a number of health practitioners make the analogy of human health to living in a fish bowl. I like fish and, for some reason, the analogy always makes me smile, so I will share it here in case you haven’t heard it.
Think of the environment inside your body as a fish bowl and your cells are like the fish. If you’ve ever had an aquarium or fish bowl, you know that if you don’t change or filter the water regularly, the fish will die. Why is this?
Because fish eat and eliminate waste (as in cell water turnover). If the wastes in the water are not removed, they build up and can eventually choke the fish (our cells) to death.
When water is deficient, wastes build up in the fluid that surrounds the cells, preventing nutrients from getting into the cell.
When toxins accumulate, they can deprive the cells of oxygen and even cause cell mutation, a primary cause of cancer. Likewise, when water is lacking in your body, one of the first functions that is affected is detoxification.
All of the detoxification functions in the body—including breathing, sweating, urinating and defecating—require water.
However, the body is ingenious at adapting. When dehydrated, it will safely store toxins in various places in the body, such as in fatty tissue, in arterial deposits or in the joints.
In other words, it will store the toxins in safe places—away from the major organs. So our life is preserved in the short term, but the long-term health consequences are significant. Because those stored toxins are only "safe" for a while.
As important as it is, efficient cell water turnover is only one of the numerous health benefits of drinking water daily. In addition to water, healthy foods nourish life and fuel energy.
Since most adult bodies are about 70 percent water, it is easy to comprehend how important water is.
You might be interested to know that babies are approximately 80 to 90 percent water and many elderly people are only 50 to 60 percent. This information, in itself, gives us a clue into the health benefits of drinking water for slowing the aging process.
Water regulates ALL the functions in the human body. Just a few of the most important functions include the following:
As far as I am concerned, EVERY health condition, illness and disease is affected by water, as explained above.
Drinking enough pure water has been shown to help the body heal itself from many sicknesses, including:
This is not to say that water alone will cure every disease. However, I do believe proper hydration is often the missing link and should be an essential part of every health program.
Further reading. . .
Fight Coronavirus - Top 5 Health Tips
Minimize Stress During a Pandemic or Other Life Crisis
Drinking Lemon in Water - How Much, How Often, Hot or Cold?
Water and Brain Function - How to Improve Memory, Focus and Concentration
Depression and Dehydration - Key Reasons They Are Linked
Drinking Water and Acne - Is There a Connection?
Causes of Water Retention - And What to Do About Them
Natural Asthma Remedy - The Water and Salt Solution
Natural Allergy Remedies - Water, Water, and More Water!
Drinking Water for Heart Health - Healthy Blood, Healthy Heart
The Foundation of Good Health Is Good Water
5 Ways to Improve Digestion - Immunity Begins in the GI Tract
Oxygenate Your Body by Drinking More Clean Water
How to Prevent Stress - 6 Simple Ways
Drinking and Eating Sugar - An Epidemic Affecting Children's Health
The Importance of Drinking Water
Ten Benefits of Drinking Water Daily
Daily Water Intake - You're Not Sick, You're Thirsty
Drinking Hot Water - 5 Key Benefits
Spring Body Detoxification - 10 Simple Tips
Seaweed Health Benefits - Trace Minerals from Ocean Water
Thoughts Affect Health - Change Your Beliefs to Change Your Biology
Oxygenation for Health and Vitality - 4 How To's
Reverse Aging Naturally - Part 1: Antioxidants and Water
Reverse Aging Naturally - Part 2: Body Acidity and Waste Removal
Water and Gratitude - Unlimited Healing Potential
8 Ways to Boost Immunity - Drinking Water Is Critical
How to Sleep Better - Top 10 Tips
Get More Energy - Water, Oxygen and Nutrients
Water and the Immune System - 3 Key Factors
Holistic Healing and Energy Flow in the Body
Mysteries of Water - In Nature and In Human Life
Avoid Colds and Flu - 10 Effective Strategies
Water and High Blood Pressure - What You Should Know
Water and Solitude - Blue Space Can Create a Blue State of Mind
Health Benefits of Chlorophyll - 5 Key Properties
Are Water Pills Healthy? Natural Diuretics to Consider
Alternative Therapies - Blood Pressure Normalization
How to Remove Body Acids to Improve Your Health
How to Minimize Stress During Difficult Times
Natural Solutions for Allergies
6 Natural Remedies for Dog Anxiety
Keep Your Pet Healthy and Hydrated
Dehydration and Anxiety - Listen to Your Body's Need for Water
Symptoms of Colon Cancer - What They Are and How to Prevent
Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux
Return from Health Benefits of Drinking Water to Water Benefits Health Home
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