Science & The Spirit
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GET ON YOUR FEET
Health Helps Part 6
By Dane and Vicki Griffin
Have you ever wondered how
much water Americans drink every day? If you stood above Niagara
Falls in full flow, in just two minutes, you would see 138
million gallons of water thunder off those cliffs. That’s how
much water Americans should be drinking every day—but we
actually drink barely enough water to keep the falls running for
one minute.
Instead, Americans drink other things. Every day they drink
enough coffee to keep the falls running at full volume for more
than 30 seconds! In addition, the average American consumes 537
cans of soda pop every year. In the South, the number goes up—to
663 cans per person per year. That’s enough soda to keep the
falls going for 45 seconds.
So who’s drinking water? One person in ten surveyed admitted
to not drinking any water at all, and on the average, Americans
are drinking barely half the amount they need.
Too little water
We’re not simply getting less water than we need. The
ingredients in many drinks, such as caffeine and alcohol, can
actually cause our bodies to lose water. In addition, high sugar
content can slow the body’s ability to absorb the water. If
you are not getting enough water, your body becomes dehydrated,
and that can make you tired, irritable, and mentally fuzzy or
confused. It’s also harder for your body to get rid of toxins
and salts. This means an increased risk of kidney stones,
infections, and hormonal disturbances.
If you had to drink all the water your body uses for its
different functions, you’d have to drink at least 200 gallons
a day! Fortunately, your body reuses all but a small amount—but
you really need that small amount!
Five cheers for water!
You need about eight glasses of water per day. Why? Here are
five important reasons:
1. Water is basic to balanced
nutrition. It helps in the digestive process to break, soften,
and transport food.
2. Water controls body
temperature, through perspiration.
3. Water is a lubricant. In the same way that oil prevents
friction between machinery parts, water prevents friction
between the body’s joints and muscles.
4. Water minimizes dehydration.
5. Water reduces stress on the circulatory system. It enables
your blood, which is 90% water, to carry life and energy-giving
nutrients to the body’s cells.
An important tip
Try having a glass of water about 45 minutes before breakfast.
It will charge your digestive system so your stomach will be
ready for breakfast. Then, instead of drinking with your meals,
which dilutes digestive juices and causes indigestion, drink
your water between meals.
Are you thirsty?
Jesus tells us, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the
waters” (Isaiah 55:1). When we see how important water is to
life and health, is it any wonder that Jesus refers to Himself
and the precious gospel invitation as “the Water of Life”?
We all need plenty of water—both physically and spiritually.
Will you come? Will you drink?
Part 1
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4
| 5 | 6 | 7
| 8 | 9 |
10
| 11 | 12
| 13 | 14
| 15 | 16
| 17 | 18
| 19 | 20
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