Topic: Water and Hydration
H2O, "a very good place to start" :).
Calculate
Practical:
Scientifically:
No person wants to have a raisin for a brain (isn't that true? ;)). Yet, when we don't drink a sufficient amount of water, that is exactly what we are turning our cells into. Cells get dehydrated because of a process called osmosis. Basically, this means that when the percentage of water in the cell is more than the percentage of water in the blood, the water in the cell will move out of the cell to balance the water in the blood, consequently dehydrating the cell.
"Dehydrated cells are inefficient. When the cell is dehydrated, there is not as much fluid inside. This causes the outside membrane to “wrinkle” which makes it more difficult for things to cross the membrane. Essential nutrients like oxygen cannot enter the cell as readily, and it is also more difficult for things like metabolic waste to leave. If your cells are not exchanging nutrients appropriately, they are not functioning properly. If your cells are not functioning optimally, how can your body?." The answer is: it can't.
Also, a frequent cause of chronic pain can be attributed to dehydration. There are two reasons why dehydration would cause pain: First of all, the concentration of acids and toxins in the bloodstream is sensed, and warning signals are sent to the brain. These signals are interpreted as pain.
Second, "the lubricating layer of tissue that surrounds bones and joints dry out. This causes the surfaces to rub together which causes inflammation. The inflammatory response sends out chemical messengers to the brain that something is wrong. These warning signals are perceived as pain."
You can read the full article on dehydration here.
Mathematics:
It is recommended to drink half your body weight in ounces of water per day.
"Dehydrated cells are inefficient. When the cell is dehydrated, there is not as much fluid inside. This causes the outside membrane to “wrinkle” which makes it more difficult for things to cross the membrane. Essential nutrients like oxygen cannot enter the cell as readily, and it is also more difficult for things like metabolic waste to leave. If your cells are not exchanging nutrients appropriately, they are not functioning properly. If your cells are not functioning optimally, how can your body?." The answer is: it can't.
Also, a frequent cause of chronic pain can be attributed to dehydration. There are two reasons why dehydration would cause pain: First of all, the concentration of acids and toxins in the bloodstream is sensed, and warning signals are sent to the brain. These signals are interpreted as pain.
Second, "the lubricating layer of tissue that surrounds bones and joints dry out. This causes the surfaces to rub together which causes inflammation. The inflammatory response sends out chemical messengers to the brain that something is wrong. These warning signals are perceived as pain."
You can read the full article on dehydration here.
Mathematics:
Calculate
If you were to follow the above advice, how many ounces of water would you be drinking each year?
Geography:
One woman cared for 70 children in an orphanage in Liberia. This particular orphanage had a cistern which was supposed to hold their drinking water. Every once in a while, a person came to fill it, but nobody had been here for a long time, and the cistern was empty. In the heat of Africa, with no water, this woman and the 70 children had no water. Can you imagine?
One woman cared for 70 children in an orphanage in Liberia. This particular orphanage had a cistern which was supposed to hold their drinking water. Every once in a while, a person came to fill it, but nobody had been here for a long time, and the cistern was empty. In the heat of Africa, with no water, this woman and the 70 children had no water. Can you imagine?Missions groups all over the world seek to give water to people who suffer lack. And yet we do not partake of the abundant supply we have here?
Biblically/spiritually:
Jesus is the Living Water. (John 4) Drinking deeply of Him we need never thirst again! Not so with physical water, however. Hydration is not a one-time event physically.
Practical:
Water's cheap! Almost free, even, for many of us. Drinking water instead of soda or other drinks saves your money as well as your health. Sodas have lots of high fructose corn syrup. This spikes your blood sugar, causing an insulin dump, and as a result, it aids in the development of diabetes.
It can be quite hard to remember to drink water. It may help if you keep your water bottle with you, perhaps you could get creative with how to attach it to your belt or something. Have fun with the challenge!
It can be quite hard to remember to drink water. It may help if you keep your water bottle with you, perhaps you could get creative with how to attach it to your belt or something. Have fun with the challenge!
