Besides being a thirst quencher, water is considered the elixir of life because it is an integral part of human life. It is an essential building block that keeps your body up and running and is necessary for maintaining your overall well-being. As such, the advantages of proper hydration are wide-ranging, from supporting organ functions to regulating body temperature. When you stay sufficiently hydrated, you provide your body with the tools it needs to function optimally.
However, despite being an essential part of human life, there is much confusion surrounding the consumption of water. This confusion stems from several misconceptions floating around, and it is necessary to debunk them to separate fiction from fact.
Read on as this article dispels some of the most common myths surrounding hydration.
Myth #1: People need to drink eight glasses of water every day
You’ve probably heard the advice to drink at least eight glasses of water each day to stay hydrated. However, the reality is that the amount of water that must be consumed in a day varies from person to person. It depends on several different factors, such as your body size, age, activity level, and climate. Although the “eight glasses per day” guideline works for many people, it is only a general recommendation and not a one-size-fits-all rule.
Myth #2: All fluids have equal hydrating power
While various fluids contribute to overall hydration, they are not all equally effective at keeping your body well-hydrated. Compared to other beverages, such as fruit juices, milk, and herbal teas, water is the most effective option for hydration. However, water itself comes in many types. For instance, some scientific studies suggest that, compared to ordinary water, alkaline water is better at quenching your thirst and helping your blood flow more efficiently. As such, establishments like gyms are recommended to invest in alkaline water purifiers.
Myth #3: Sports drinks are better than water
It is a common misconception, especially among gym-goers, that sports drinks are the best fluid choices to prevent dehydration while exercising. However, in most cases, water remains the better option, especially considering that sports drinks are usually loaded with food dyes and sugar. If your workouts only last for an hour or less, water is your best hydration option. On the other hand, if your workouts last longer than 60 to 90 minutes and involve so much sweat loss, consider sports drinks as an additional source of electrolytes and glucose.
Myth #4: Drinking plenty of water is always beneficial
Although it is necessary to drink enough water every day, consuming excessive amounts of it can bring more harm than good. When you drink excessive water in a short period, you can suffer from a condition called “hyponatremia“, in which your body’s electrolyte balance becomes disrupted. For this reason, you need to maintain a balance and avoid overhydration yourself. Keep in mind that hydration needs vary from person to person, so it is important to listen to your body’s cues and drink fluids according to your needs.
Conclusion
It goes without saying that water is a basic part of human life. It is necessary for hydration and for maintaining good overall health. However, there are plenty of hydration myths floating around that can cause confusion as to the benefits of drinking water. It is important to dispel these myths in order to prevent misinformation and ensure that you are properly hydrating yourself every day.
One of the best ways to keep yourself hydrated all the time is to invest in a high-quality water dispenser in Singapore from the reputable brand, Wells! At Wells, you can find plenty of excellent yet affordable water dispensers that are equipped with a variety of amazing features, such as internal sterilisation, replaceable dispenser nozzles, multi-carbon filters, and intuitive display UI. Aside from water dispensers, we also offer the most effective and efficient air purifiers for home use so that you and your family can breathe fresh and clean air every day. Feel free to visit our website or contact us today to learn more.
