Dr. My said: We are drinking water the wrong way, and that ruins all the benefits

We all know that drinking enough water is important for our health. Official recommendations from health authorities generally advise us to drink six to eight glasses of water a day.

The NHS says to stay hydrated, you can use a variety of drinks, such as "water, low-fat milk and unsweetened drinks, including tea." and coffee" . The NHS also says a sign that you're drinking enough water is clear, pale yellow urine.

However, according to some health experts, we are currently drinking water the wrong way.

Mistakes many people make when drinking water

One of the common ways to drink water is to abstain from drinking water for many hours and then drink 500ml of water at one time . This is not the best way to hydrate the body.

Dr. Lindsay Baker, senior scientist at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, headquartered in the US, said drinking water this way is completely wrong.

Dr. Lindsay Baker, senior scientist at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute.

She told the American Physiological Society that "it's best to drink water evenly throughout the day."

The female doctor explained : "Most people drink more water when they eat meals and snacks, which helps the body retain fluid. But suddenly drinking large amounts will often cause water to be excreted through the body. urine pretty quickly ".

Associate Professor Dr. Evan C. Johnson, an expert in exercise physiology at the University of Wyoming, USA, explains that drinking large amounts of liquid at one time can create a 'bolus response'.

The bolus response is the body's defense mechanism against hyponatremia - lower-than-normal levels of sodium in the blood - after consuming large amounts of fluid. This increases the need to urinate to eliminate excess fluid, so you won't get the benefit from drinking water.

Drinking large amounts of liquid at one time may produce a "bolus response." (Illustration).

Below, experts advise the do's and don'ts of drinking water:

SHOULD

Drink water regularly during the day.

1. Swap sugary drinks for diet, sugar-free drinks.
2. Adults can choose lower-fat milk, such as low-fat milk, 1% fat milk or unsweetened plant-based beverages.
3. Limit fruit juices and smoothies to a maximum of one small cup (150ml) per day and drink them with meals as they are high in sugar.
4. Check the packaging on drinks.
5. Drink extra water if you sweat due to physical activity or if you are unwell – water is the best way to replace lost fluids.
6. Drink caffeine in moderation – some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others, depending on how much they drink and how often they drink it. Check the packaging of drinks high in caffeine.
7. If you don't like the taste of water, try sparkling water, without added sugar, or add a slice of lemon or lime juice.

SHOULD NOT

1. Don't regularly drink sugary drinks – they are higher in calories and the sugar can damage your teeth.
2. Don't take more than 200mg of caffeine a day if you're pregnant - this can increase the risk of miscarriage or low birth weight.

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