'3 don'ts' when drinking water, to avoid damaging blood vessels
Water makes up a large portion of body weight, is essential for maintaining health, and participates in many vital functions.
The role of water in the body
First, drinking water helps quench your thirst, prevents dehydration, and keeps you alert to continue working. The role of water in health and the immune system is undeniable.
Water not only helps maintain water balance in the body but also aids digestion, softens and lubricates tissues, and helps cleanse the body by removing toxins. Additionally, water helps maintain moisture in the skin and eyes, improves cognitive function, and boosts energy.
Most people's fluid needs are met through drinking water, consuming daily beverages, or eating foods with high water content such as berries and vegetables. Research indicates that insufficient water in the body can negatively impact concentration, alertness, and short-term memory.
"3 don'ts" when drinking water
According toAboluowangHere are three things you need to keep in mind when replenishing water in your body to avoid harming your blood vessels.
Don't drink too much water at once.
Many people have a habit of not dividing their water intake into smaller portions, but instead drinking a large amount of water at one time, especially after exercising or when feeling thirsty.
However, this method is very harmful to blood vessels. Absorbing a large amount of water at once will cause a sudden increase in body fluid, leading to a surge in blood volume in a short period, increasing pressure on blood vessels, and thus potentially accelerating the process of blood vessel damage.
Patients with heart disease or high blood pressure are particularly susceptible to ruptured blood vessels or even heart failure due to this sudden increase in water intake. Therefore, you should divide your water intake into smaller portions, rather than drinking it all at once, to avoid putting too much pressure on your blood vessels.
Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink water.
Thirst is the body's way of reacting to dehydration, signaling that it's losing a significant amount of water. Some people often neglect to replenish fluids, leading to thicker blood, increasing the burden on blood vessels, and even causing problems like high blood pressure and atherosclerosis. You should pay attention to drinking enough water throughout the day and avoid letting thirst get the better of you.
Avoid drinking water that is too hot or too cold.
In the summer, cold water is the preferred choice for many; while in the winter, hot water is often used to warm the body. However, water that is too cold or too hot can irritate blood vessels.
Cold water can cause blood vessels to constrict suddenly, while hot water will dilate them. Frequent temperature fluctuations will affect the elasticity of blood vessels, and may even cause them to rupture.
Furthermore, drinking water that is too hot, above 65 degrees Celsius, also increases the risk of esophageal cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified hot beverages above 65 degrees Celsius as Group 2A carcinogens, meaning they may cause cancer in humans.