Mistakes We Make When Drinking Water

Larry A. Law

Water is the most versatile molecule on planet earth. Whether it is frozen, liquid, or steam, water is the one molecule with a million uses. Snowflakes are beautiful six-sided crystals formed because of the unique 60 degree bonding angles required by this amazing molecule. One of the most important uses of water for humans is hydration. Drinking water is a normal, life-sustaining part of life we commonly take for granted. But drinking water the "wrong" way can do harm when we are trying to keep our bodies healthy and strong. 

Mistake #1: Drinking an excessive amount of water.

It is not good to drink a lot of water in a short period of time. Drinking too much water causes stress on the heart and kidneys. The kidneys are forced to expel excess water from the body to keep sodium levels balanced, and to prevent water poisoning due to an imbalance of metabolic ion concentrations. Even though drinking water promotes metabolism, it should not be seen as a way to lose weight. Drink water slowly so your body can tell you when it is hydrated. Remember that normal urine should be light yellow, not clear. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables can add significantly to the amount of water you consume daily so don't fixate only on your water bottle. ​

Mistake #2: Drinking lots of ice cold water.

During hot summers, everyone likes to drink iced water to cool down, but that can place a large burden on your body. Normal body temperature is 97 degrees F, and the stomach likes to stay about 100 degrees. Drinking too much ice cold water will make your blood vessels constrict and slow down the circulation in the stomach. To bring the stomach and body back up to proper temperature will take time and energy. While the body is an amazing creation, this stress affects your immune system and overall metabolic reactions unnecessarily. Allowing the body to cool via perspiration and drinking warmer water supports the esophagus' swallowing action and does not hinder the digestive process. In addition, headaches associated with brain freezes (ice overstimulating the nerves on the palate) are not a problem with blood vessels in the brain; rather they are a reaction of the brain when it perceives too great a temperature differential in the environment. A study from Sweden found that headaches caused by drinking ice water were more common in women; also, that those who suffered with migraines were twice as likely to develop headaches from drinking cold water. This and related findings cause doctors to recommend drinking room temperature water even on hot days.  

Mistake #3: Drinking purified water. 

Some people drink highly filtered water. While it is good to remove pollutants, heavy metals, and bacteria, it is not good to remove all the minerals. People today have a magnesium deficiency because tap water and bottled water have been "softened" to remove the majority of minerals from it. In addition, highly filtered water can pull minerals from your body as your body tries to balance it. A loss of magnesium contributes to cardiovascular problems, diabetes, chronic pain, cramps, and poor bone structure. Magnesium is used in over 300 enzymatic reactions within the body. Water that is deplete of minerals is bad water.

Mistake #4: Drinking water directly from the bottle.

Many plastic bottles are made from a compound called polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These plasticizers can leak into the fluid contained within the bottle. These chemicals mimic the hormone estrogen and can negatively affect growing bodies. In addition, mucus containing-bacteria tend to stick to the bottle cap and can contaminate the fluid in the bottle if left out in the open for any length of time. Bacteria will reproduce quickly. It is always best to avoid drinking straight from the bottle. Better to pour the contents into a cup or glass and drink from that. 

Mistake #5: Substituting water. 

Many people replace water with other fluids which contain water. But these fluids also contain caffeine or alcohol which act as diuretics that cause you to lose even more water. Chronic dehydration occurs without people realizing it because of the net loss of water attributed to these fluids. Loss of hydration can cause weight gain, constipation, joint pain, dry skin, muscle weakness, forgetfulness, and irritability. Adding sugar to these fluids just compounds the problem. 

Remember that water is essential for life. If you find drinking water bland and unappealing, cut up some pieces of fruit to add scent and create a bit of flavor without the burden of excess sugar. As your sugar tolerance begins to drop, you will find water more and more refreshing. Your body is 60% water and maintaining that level is something the body loves to do to remain clean and burden-free.