We all know that drinking more water is good for our health. Our blood can transport nutrients and oxygen more effectively and remove hormones, toxins and waste. Your skin will thank you, becoming more radiant when your body has fewer toxins. Conversely, dehydration comes with all sorts of health defects over long periods, such as kidney stones, constipation, gout, etc.
How much water should we drink in a day?
The National Academy of Medicine suggests that, for healthy adults, the average man should drink 13 cups of water every day. In comparison, the average woman should drink 9 cups. Each cup is approximately 240 ml. Hence, men need to drink about 3100 ml of water, and women need about 2100 ml daily.
However, the size and physique of Chinese people are different from that of Americans, so the daily water consumption is also different. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents published in 2016, the recommended water consumption is 1500-1700ml (about 7-8 cups).
Because we can get about 1 litre of water from the foods we eat daily - fresh fruit and vegetables contain around 80-90% water, we would only need to drink another 1 litre of water or other liquids daily. These may include beverages like tea or soup. If drinking water is dull, add honey or lemon slices for a bit of flavour.
This is a general guideline, not a definite goal, because the exact amount of water that everyone needs fluctuates every day. Just be sure to drink more water when doing exercise!
Golden drinking schedule
During the "large intestine meridian" operation, drink a glass of water on an empty stomach to support your gastrointestinal tract, and carry the accumulated toxins and wastes out of the body.
Drink another cup in the morning to hydrate yourself. At the same time, you should put the cup on a table nearby to remind yourself to drink water at any time.
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Half an hour after lunch (about 1pm)
A glass of water added half an hour after a meal can help the stomach digest food and accelerate blood circulation. It is twice as effective for detoxification! But remember, try not to drink water immediately after meals because it dilutes gastric juice, reduces protease activity (the enzyme that helps break down proteins), and affects stomach digestion.
At this time, the "bladder meridian" operates, and metabolism is at its fastest. Drinking 1-2 cups of water is equivalent to heavy rain on the body, which can drive significant circulation in the body. The waste toxin accumulated in the body will be discharged when you go to the toilet.
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Half an hour before dinner (about 6pm)
Avoid overeating at dinner, so drinking a glass of water before dinner is recommended, making you feel full, and reduces your appetite. It is also conducive to dissolving the salt you have just ingested. After all, dinner is relatively close to sleep. If too much salt is not digested and absorbed in time, it will easily cause oedema and burden the body.
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Drink a "small" glass of water before going to bed
Avoid drinking water after dinner as it slows metabolism, potentially causing renal burdens and oedema. It may also affect sleep quality due to nocturia. However, while sleeping, your body will be short of water, which will slow your blood flow, and can easily induce cardiovascular disease. Therefore, drink a small glass of water before sleep, about 50-80ml.
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