You Are What You Eat: Water

Growing up, I never gave much thought to the phrase “You are what you eat.” It just didn’t make much sense to me. How could you be a grilled cheese sandwich, or a gooey cheeseburger, or a large vanilla malt? What do you think that phrase means? For me, it means that when I have trouble with my digestive system it is because of something very specific. I caused the problem; I can’t blame stress, insomnia, or my genes. It is me who is putting the fork full in my month; no one held the proverbial gun to my head.

In our home, Sunday is our family day out together. Today we went to see the 4th installment of the Indiana Jones series. We ate popcorn at the theatre, pizza and soda afterwards, and then before we went home, we stopped at Dairy Queen for ice cream. Boy, let me tell you that I certainly was what I ate today. My stomach ached, my intestines were bloated, and, well—you get the idea.

Maintaining and then managing a healthy digestive system can be done. Amidst the over-processed foods, heavily sweetened desserts, pesticide-laden produce, and fatty meats are many healthy and tasteful alternatives. First, the easiest thing you can do to help your body to digest properly is to drink plenty of water. The body is composed of approximately 70% water. This crucial liquid is vital to successful blood flow, urine production, enzyme activity, and chemical reactions, to name just a few.

Most health care professionals will suggest six to eight glasses of water per day. I don’t think it is that simple; you can use the six-to-eight-glass rule as a guide. Individuals who live in Colorado, for example, should drink closer to 10 glasses per day because of the severe dryness, which tends to dehydrate the body. Also, the very active should drink more water because of the tendency to lose fluids via perspiration. The elderly, who have been known to suffer from severe constipation due to lack of water and activity, should increase their water intake.

How do you know how much is enough? There are several ways to gauge your hydration level. You want to urinate at least every couple of hours (while awake). The urine stream should flow easily and steady. The color should be a pale yellow and emit a mild odor and not a strong ammonia smell. There should be no pain or burning during urination, nor should your urine feel hot. (There is no need to touch the urine stream to determine temperature; instead, focus on the heat of the urine as it leaves the body.) Your mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, and vagina) should feel moist, not pasty or dry. There are other ways to determine hydration level but I think the examples given should be sufficient for now.

Many people are afraid to drink water because of the fear that our current water supply is contaminated. For some, the alternative is to drink bottled water, but that is a luxury that many can’t afford. You could purchase the filters that screw directly onto your faucet. The cost is relatively inexpensive and the water tastes pretty good. There are reverse osmosis systems, soft-water systems, or you could boil your water prior to use. Whatever you choose, know that water is a vital component to not only a healthy digestive system but to a healthy body in general.

Next week we will continue with the good, the bad, and the ugly about the foods you eat.

In health and wellness,

Dr. Linda Mundorff