Several years ago I read a short story by my favorite author about water. He discussed his conversation with a professor of hydrology and how water is everywhere and in all living things. In the story he goes on to discuss the correlation between theology and water and beautifully ties the two together but the importance and significance of water has stuck with me since the first time I read this story. Without water there is no life, and yet we continue to deny ourselves of the most basic necessity.
There is a silent struggle around the world that we here in Brownwood, Texas do not face. It is the battle to find clean drinking water. There is clean water readily available to all of us with nothing more than the turn of a faucet. If you have concerns or want to know more about the water coming from your tap a report on your water supply should be mailed to your home annually or printed in the paper. You can also call your provider for more information regarding the quality of your water.
With the heat of another Texas summer right around the bend, proper hydration is critical. According to Sharon Francey Robinson, PhD, RD, LD Associate Professor and Extension Nutrition Specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service “The subject of hydration is somewhat controversial as there are no recommended guidelines as to the amount of water (beverages) people should drink. In the past a general rule of thumb was to consume about 6 to 8 eight ounce glasses of water/fluids a day. However, neither the Institute of Medicine nor the Dietary Guidelines makes such a hydration recommendation. The Dietary Guidelines recommend that people allow their thirst to indicate how much water to drink”.
Learning to take cues from your body about when you’re thirsty is the first step in maintaining proper hydration. Thirst, dry mouth, flushed skin, fatigue, headache, dizziness, weakness, high body temperature (aka: somebody turn on the air conditioner!), increased breathing rate, rapid pulse, and dark yellow urine are all high alerts that you’re becoming dehydrated. Learn to tell the difference between being hungry and being thirsty by actively keeping up with how much water, or healthy beverages, you’ve had that day. Instead of instantly reaching for a snack think about when the last time you hydrated. Twenty percent of hydration comes from food but the other eighty percent comes from what we drink during the day. Listen to what you’re body is telling you during your daily activities and your hydration needs will be met while avoiding over consumption of water.
With one of the most important nutrients to keep our body healthy at our fingertips there should be no reason not to get your fill of water each day. If you’d like to read the entire story mentioned in the introduction of this article check out Uh-Oh, Some Observations From Both Sides of the Refrigerator Door by Robert Fulghum.
About the author: Bridget Bean is an Extension Program Assistant and Better Living for Texans educator with the Brown County AgriLife Extension office. Bridget may be reached at 325-646-0386.