With spring comes the desire for renewal.
This is the period when we think about detoxifying the body, the various methods of young people and other diets to regain vitality and well-being. Without resorting to sometimes drastic diets why not just drink water and use it to our advantage.
Water can play an essential role in maintaining its form throughout the year.
Hydrology is a technique of care by water that can be part of a detoxification, revitalization or stabilization cure. Water is an essential element of life and increases the vital force by improving intra- and extra-cellular exchanges, and by promoting the distribution of nutrients in the body.
Water; for an inner well-being that can be seen on the outside
Accounting for about 65% of a person’s total weight, the body produces very little water per day. Too little to meet its needs. The body has several emotics which water is removed. This elimination is important and to do this we need at least 1 to 1.5 liters per day excluding meals to cover our water needs. Indeed, the water supply provided by the diet remains insufficient (from 800 g to 1.3kg) while the elimination of water by urine, stool, sweat and lungs are 2 to 2.4kg per day. Running out of water means running risks of dehydration, kidney problems, headaches, etc.
To ensure a good water supply is to maintain an adequate functioning of the body, a draining and diuretic effect, beneficial for the radiance of the skin, a better absorption and distribution of nutrients.
Which water to choose?
The water that is drunk daily must contain a level of hard minerals less than 30 mg/l, chlorides and sulphates less than 250 mg/l and fluorine less than 1 mg/l. Too mineralized and it will be difficult for the body to discard waste. This will result in various problems such as constipation, skin problems, accumulation of toxins, etc.
For sports people, people doing very physical work or in high heat it is often recommended to drink more mineralized waters to compensate for mineral losses due to greater sweating.
A healthy person with little or no intense physical activity may prefer waters such as Mont Roucous, Volvic.
For acidic terrain, tap water, alkaline water such as Vichy or Badoit will be favored.
With each disorder its water:
In a punctual way a more mineralized water can relieve certain disorders:
Bicarbonate water: relieves digestion and gastric pain if drunk before the meal, and promotes the work of the stomach muscles if consumed after the meal
Magnesian water (more than 50mg/l of magnesium); recommended for athletes, in periods of strong growth, during a low-calorie diet, in case of asthenia, for pregnant women. At high consumption, this water has laxative effects.
Calcite water (more than 150 mg of calcium): Recommended for athletes, pregnant women or people in high growth.
Chlorinated water (rich in sodium chloride, sulfates, bicarbonate), stimulates the gallbladder, regulates the intestinal flora.
Water containing less than 20 mg/l of sodium is ideal in the case of a low-salt diet.
The supply of bottled water is varied and sometimes confusing. Be sure to read the composition of the water carefully. Some waters called spring water do not guarantee mineral content. Other waters are subjected to carbonation to provide them with bubbles. So-called natural carbonated waters are said to be favourable for improving digestion. Any open bottle should ideally be consumed within 48 hours and kept in a cool place, away from sources of heat and sun.
What about tap water then?
Nowadays, tap water is considered drinkable throughout France and has the interest of providing everything you need while being the most ecological of water (zero plastic!) and no doubt the cheapest. And if its chlorine content can disturb (even if essential at low doses to preserve its sanitary integrity). For the most sensitive, serve fresh water which will reduce the chlorinated taste (but be careful not too cold either!) or why not add a few drops of lemon, mint leaves, or basil, cucumber … very trendy!
In conclusion and according to Dr. Philippe Beaulieu of the Centre d’information sur l’eau (CIEAU) “Drinking tap water, regularly renewed and put in a carafe, is healthier than drinking at the neck of a bottle that has been open for some time. This one can be a real broth of culture”, (CHISEL). He added that tap water is one of the most controlled food products in France.
The next article will discuss the benefits of water in external use
Notes: Although delighted to be able to share information related to well-being and naturopathy, these articles are only offered as general information, why not generate an interest in digging into the subject if the reader wishes.
Information is provided according to the topics covered from various sources and references are mentioned below.
Source: Naturopathic training – ICES