5 False beliefs about drinking water and a very certain belief that you did not know

Some people think that the more water you drink, the more weights. And it is true, but only momentarily, since water is a liquid incapable of providing energy or fattening because it has no calories. Believing this myth can lead to not drinking enough water and the thing can end badly. "A loss of only 2-3% of water, even in the case of a slight loss, can produce physical alterations (headaches, fatigue, decreased physical performance), cognitive (decreased mental performance), negative effects on the regulation of the temperature and increase of the cardiac rhythm ", says Jéssica Gutiérrez. And he continues warning that reaching a 10% loss of water can have fatal effects on our health: dizziness, muscle spasms, delirium, exhaustion, renal failure, decreased blood volume and even coma.

Although water does not provide calories, it does not mean that drinking it is a magical remedy for weight loss. In addition, Jéssica Gutierrez recalls that the satiating effect of liquids is lower than that of solids, since they pass faster through our digestive system. In order to lose weight, you can get to ingest a quantity of water that can be fatal. The kidney can filter between 0.7 and 1 liter per hour and drinking more than that amount forces this organ to overexert, which in turn causes a decrease in electrolytes, including sodium, vital for the proper functioning of muscles and organs. On the other hand, explains the nutritionist, "this causes a rapid entry of water into the cells of the body and these swell and rupture, with risk of collapse of the body." The body will have already given alarm signals: vomiting, severe headaches, blurred vision and muscle spasms are among the consequences of this excess.

In the words of the nutritionist, "The estimate of daily water consumption for an adult, including food and other liquids, is 2 liters a day for women between 14 and 70 years. Men, on the other hand, should drink about 2.5 liters. It is recommended that most liquids be water, because that way we do not add extra calories. But in that total of water there are also infusions, coffees, milks, juices, broths and fruits and vegetables. However, factors such as the exercise performed and the environmental temperature also influence. And it is true that women should drink more during pregnancy (2.3 liters a day) and during lactation (2.7 liters a day) because of the effort made by the body.

"The belief that drinking water during meals hinders digestion is wrong because it does not hinder the digestive processes; It is evacuated quickly and does not affect how nutrients are absorbed. Only in certain gastric pathologies, such as reflux, it is advisable to drink liquids outside meals. " In addition, says the nutritionist, drinking a little water during the meal helps to assimilate better the nutrients in the intestine and to avoid constipation when high fiber products are consumed.

"Water stimulates kidney function and helps us balance the body's water levels, no matter what time it is or what we are doing." Therefore, drinking water when getting up will be as beneficial as doing it before going to bed. Of course, a glass of water first thing in the morning will begin to hydrate the body very soon. Just what you need. The most important thing, as advised by Jéssica Gutiérrez, is to do it slowly, without major sudden ingestions.

The kidney is able to modify the amount of water that is filtered depending on the needs and activates the signal that makes us feel thirsty. However, explains Jéssica Gutiérrez, "this mechanism appears when the process of dehydration has already begun." Therefore, it is advisable to drink water even if you are not thirsty.