JEDDAH, 20 October 2004 — At the beginning of the past summer season, I wrote a column (“Water: The Essence of Life” Arab News, June, 23, 2004), emphasizing the importance of water to the human body especially during the heat. This time, I am not only reminding but also urging every fasting adult, youth, adolescent, and particularly the elderly, to drink as much water and fluids as possible after iftar (breaking fast).
Every year, the holy month of Ramadan is shifting closer to summer. With hotter and longer days, fasting becomes more strenuous, causing more thirst and dehydration to the body and resulting in kidney related complications. Rather than heeding Prophet Mohammed’s (peace be upon him) advice of drinking water during iftar, most of us, unfortunately, pay attention to hunger pangs and ignore the call for hydration. We end up filling ourselves with solids (fried samboosa) and syrupy sweets, when our body yearns for water, water, and water. Can we stop for a moment and listen to our body’s needs rather than to our impulses?
Water is absolutely essential to our survival; it is also the overlooked nutrient in our diet. All the functions of our body organs depend on water availability in our system. When water is scarce, the body signals drought with a dry mouth, finally crying out with thirst. But, when we ignore the sensation much too often the feeling of thirst gets suppressed even when the body supply of water and fluids is low.
Consequently, the many functions of our internal organs and various systems start to suffer, sending distress signals of pain such as urinary tract infection, headache, fatigue, feelings of irritability, anxiety, impatience, and shortness of breath among others.
Water is the medium where protein, enzymes, sugars, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are dissolved. It is also the vehicle that transports and distributes them to various organs and systems according to their specific needs. The body and brain cells rely on water supply to generate electrical energy, and to keep them nourished with nutrients. By liquefying the blood, water simplifies the transport of oxygen to all the body and eliminates waste gases. The digestive tract needs water to dilute acidity, assimilate nutrients, prevent constipation, and speed up the elimination process. The kidneys and liver depend on it for cleansing and detoxifying.
Dehydration is particularly taxing to the kidneys as they need enough water to filter the blood. They are, therefore, susceptible to complications with fasting due to water deficiency.
A glass of water for iftar would give a burst of energy to the lethargic body and mind of a fasting individual. As an energy provider, water hydrates the vascular, digestive, hormonal, glandular, circulatory, and immune systems, which are bathed in it or depend on it for functional efficiency.
Many chronic diseases are masked when dehydration, the underlying cause, is misdiagnosed. We keep on popping pills and medicaments. This way we are quelling a symptom and sparking a disease, neglecting the root of the problem. Thereby, a headache develops into chronic migraine; allergy turns into auto-immune disease; fatigue becomes fibromyalgia; hypertension prompts heart disease; urinary tract infection results in kidney disorders; and irritability and anxiety lead to depression. Whereas, sufficient water consumption can deter many of these self-inflicted ailments.
Older citizens should be reminded to drink as their sensation of thirst diminishes with age, leading to dehydration and complications. Water also prevents memory loss and poor concentration. School children should drink a lot of water (not soda drinks) after iftar to improve their ability to learn and focus. Studies indicate that water deficiency interferes with their mental abilities and performances.
On the other hand, fasting should not stop people, young or old, from physical activity and exercising. They should remember to increase their water intake after iftar and during activity, which should take place in the cooler hours of the evening.
Pregnant mothers who fast should drink more water than usual. During gestation, their need for water increases as the fetus swims in amniotic fluid, thus drawing its need of water from the mother. A pregnant mother is strongly advised to replenish her system with sufficient water; otherwise she could suffer from acid reflux, constipation, and other disorders.
Our various body functions such as respiration, circulation, digestion, and others utilize as many as six to eight glasses of water daily. Unless we replace this loss, we shall become water deficient, leading to some of the above-mentioned complications that are induced by dehydration. Drink even when you do not feel any signs of thirst. It will also help if you are trying to lose weight; water is quite filling.
You have plenty of time to drink between iftar and fajr (Morning Prayer), but please avoid dehydrating substances such coffee and tea, which prompt the body to rid itself of essential fluids. Keep a bottle of water by your side, in your car, and everywhere you go. Drink! Drink! Drink!
— Mariam Alireza is a holistic science specialist. Send comments to [email protected].
