For everyday living, fluid intake is essential. And there is really no better fluid that combines the ease of access and healthy benefits than water. For health, digestion, body function and more, there’s much to gain from regularly sipping water throughout the day.
In short, water is life. According to the new Canada Food Guide, water should be ‘our beverage of choice.’ There’s no need to feel ashamed if you’re not obsessively gulping down glass after glass. Just know that water is essential to better health and by making it a regular accompaniment to meals and sipping throughout the day, it will help in more ways than just keeping you hydrated.
For patients on the mend, it’s the better way to quench a thirst compared to other fluids, notably sweetened drinks. It helps to regulate the body temperature, aids digestion, keep the body hydrated and ensure that regular excretion functions such as perspiration, urination and defecation are maintained.
As for the hard and fast rules about water, no need to buy into the eight glasses of water a day regimen. But having water within easy reach and making hydration a regular part of every day is beneficial, especially with meals. The simple rule? Drink when you’re thirsty and encourage patients to regularly reach for water to quench their thirst.
