Plain boiled water refers to water without any additives. It is the most commonly consumed water in daily life. Though plain and flavorless, it plays a crucial role in regulating the body's physiological functions.Drinking a cup of warm plain boiled water on an empty stomach in the morning offers numerous benefits without drawbacks. For middle-aged and elderly individuals, it not only dilutes blood, reduces blood viscosity, and promotes blood circulation but also lowers the risk of blood clots, preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases during the "peak period" of heart disease. For younger people, it quenches thirst and promotes urination, compensating for the loss of bodily fluids during sleep due to physiological evaporation. It also helps maintain smooth and delicate skin.
Water transports oxygen to the blood; it carries metabolic waste out of the body through urine or feces. It lubricates tissues and joints; keeps the eyes, nose, and mouth moist; and maintains skin softness and elasticity. It regulates body temperature by evaporating or sweating to maintain a constant temperature.Water is vital to the human body. Whether for digesting, absorbing, transporting, and metabolizing nutrients; eliminating waste; or regulating physiological functions and body temperature—water is indispensable. Imagine the body's water as a river where all life's metabolic activities navigate. Without water, these processes cease, leaving nutrients scattered like pebbles on a dry riverbed.
Cool boiled water most readily permeates cell membranes, promoting metabolism, enhancing immune function, and boosting the body's disease resistance. Individuals accustomed to drinking plain boiled water exhibit higher deoxygenase activity and reduced lactic acid accumulation in muscles, making them less prone to fatigue.
Regarding whether children should regularly consume purified water, two distinct viewpoints exist.One view holds that since purified water removes most minerals, long-term consumption may lead to mineral deficiencies. The other view argues that the human body can obtain minerals through multiple sources, such as food and beverages, with food being the primary source. As purified water is a relatively new product, there is currently insufficient scientific evidence to conclusively determine its long-term health effects.Mineral water comes in numerous varieties. Due to differing origins, various types contain distinct mineral compositions—some rich in strontium, others in zinc, iodine, lithium, selenium, and so forth. Consequently, not all mineral waters are suitable for children as their primary long-term drinking water.
Currently, water consumption is largely driven by blind choices. Pure water, mineral water, or any other type of water does not automatically equate to healthy water. Neither pure water nor mineral water should be the primary beverage for children. Today, advertisements for various drinks are ubiquitous. More and more children reach for beverages when thirsty, while fewer drink plain water—an unhealthy trend affecting children's development.Nutritionists emphasize that from a nutritional perspective, no sugary or functional beverage surpasses plain water in promoting health. Plain water quenches thirst most effectively, immediately entering the body's metabolic processes to regulate temperature, transport nutrients, and cleanse internal systems. Consequently, experts advocate for a "Drink Plain Water Campaign."They have discovered that boiled water cooled naturally to room temperature most readily penetrates cell membranes to promote metabolism, increases hemoglobin levels in the blood, enhances immune function, and boosts the body's disease resistance. Individuals accustomed to drinking cooled boiled water exhibit higher dehydrogenase activity, reduced lactic acid buildup in muscles, and are less prone to fatigue.Survey data indicates children's weights are trending toward extremes—either overweight or underweight. Excessive beverage consumption is cited as a key factor: children with strong appetites who drink large quantities of beverages become obese due to excessive calorie intake. Conversely, children with poor appetites often become underweight because beverage consumption interferes with regular meals, leading to insufficient calorie intake. Furthermore, numerous side effects have been linked to excessive consumption of fortified beverages. The dangers of artificial coloring in beverages also cannot be overlooked.Excessive pigment accumulation in the body can disrupt multiple enzyme functions, affecting metabolism and children's growth and development. Pigments deposited on the delicate mucous membranes of children's digestive tracts can easily cause indigestion. Furthermore, excessive pigments are one of the factors contributing to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Benefits In China, this method of drinking water was already noted as early as the Tang Dynasty in the early 7th century.The renowned physician Sun Simiao authored the Thousand Gold Prescriptions, which includes a volume titled "The Classic of Water Intake" in its thirteenth section. Relieving Headaches: If you wake up with a headache and immediately consume caffeinated beverages like coffee or milk tea, it will likely worsen the pain.Morning headaches often stem from the body's lack of hydration overnight, compounded by slight dehydration from sweating. Many people sleep with air conditioning on during summer nights; intense cooling can deplete bodily fluids, leading to morning dehydration and headaches. Therefore, to feel refreshed and headache-free upon waking, a glass of water is absolutely essential.
Fighting Cancer: Studies indicate that individuals who drink four or more glasses of water daily have nearly half the risk of developing colon cancer compared to those who consume two or fewer glasses. Drinking eight or more glasses daily yields even better results. Water combats cancer by accelerating intestinal peristalsis, preventing waste from lingering in the gut and reducing the exposure time of carcinogens.Similarly, ample water intake reduces the risk of urinary tract cancers like bladder, kidney, and prostate cancer. Additionally, increased water consumption may help prevent breast cancer.
Combating Fatigue: Some people frequently feel exhausted, especially during summer, often experiencing weakness or drowsiness. While some attribute this to stress or low blood sugar, the true culprit may be dehydration.Our bodies are less sensitive to thirst than to hunger. As fluid levels gradually decrease, the body doesn't immediately signal the need for water. If this continues without timely replenishment, fatigue and weakness intensify, leading to unexplained physical discomfort. Drinking more water resolves this issue, helping the body maintain consistent energy levels.
Contraindications
While insufficient water intake is problematic, excessive consumption can also lead to poisoning. This concept may seem unfamiliar, yet as early as the 1930s, the United States reported cases of water intoxication caused by excessive drinking.
Water constitutes approximately 65% to 70% of human body weight and remains relatively stable within the body. Cell membranes act as semipermeable barriers, allowing water to freely permeate. Excessive water intake disrupts the balance between blood and interstitial fluids, lowering osmotic pressure. This causes water to infiltrate cells, leading to cellular swelling and water intoxication.Brain cells react most rapidly to this process. Once cerebral edema develops, intracranial pressure increases, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, vomiting, fatigue, blurred vision, drowsiness, slowed breathing, and decreased heart rate. Severe cases may result in coma, seizures, or even life-threatening conditions.During water intoxication, excessive blood volume dilutes sodium chloride concentration, causing hyponatremia. Patients may experience generalized muscle pain and spasms.
Water intoxication occurs frequently in daily life, though often mild enough to go unnoticed.During hot summers, excessive sweating depletes electrolytes like sodium salts. Drinking large amounts of plain water without replenishing salt can cause muscle spasms or cramping pain. Muscle aches in the arms, thighs, and calves typically indicate mild water intoxication.Therefore, during hot summers, it's best to add a pinch of salt to drinking water or consume salted beverages like soda. If you dislike salty drinks, opt for saltier stir-fried dishes instead. This replenishes lost salts and fluids. Once saltwater enters the body, it rapidly permeates cells, promptly hydrating dehydrated tissues from sweating and effectively preventing water intoxication.Avoid drinking large amounts of water before or during meals, as this can dilute gastric juices and impair the stomach's digestive and absorptive functions. Additionally, while many people enjoy drinking chilled boiled water in summer, it's best not to consume water that has been left standing for over 24 hours. Prolonged storage allows significant bacterial growth and other contaminants to develop.