Do you drink enough water every day? Researchers at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City have completed a preliminary study that supports Edgar Cayce's admonition to drink at least six to eight glasses of water each day.
Interestingly, the effects of not getting enough water may be not only physical but mental and emotional as well.
The twelve-week experiment focused on ten college students who were assigned to three groups that drank four, eight, or twelve eight-ounce glasses of water per day in four-day test cycles.
Between the test cycles the students drank the normal amount of water they typically consumed during a one-week period prior to the study.
Hydration status was measured at the end of each four-day water consumption cycle and the participants also answered questions about their general well being.
Drinking four glasses of water caused the students' blood plasma volume to fall 5 percent below those participants who consumed eight glasses of water.
The real surprise was that students who drank the least amount of water reported feeling less energetic and less focused.
Since water makes up more than 70 percent of solid body tissue, it helps to regulate temperature, transfer nutrients, remove wastes, cushions joints, and protects organs.
Insufficient water can cause headaches, grogginess, and dry, itchy skin.
When dehydration is severe, it can adversely affect blood pressure, circulation, digestion, and kidney function.
Lead researcher Dr.
Wayne Askew noted that "For people who aren't exercising a lot or living in a very warm climate, eight glasses of water a day may be a good rule of thumb.
" For those who exercise and sweat a lot, more than eight glasses daily may be required to properly hydrate the body.