All About Water: When Should We Drink and How Much Should We Drink?
When the U.S. published the food pyramid, the suggestion was to eat a diet consisting mostly of carbohydrates (Feed Lot philosophy). Because carbohydrates lack a high water consistency when metabolized, the “drink eight cups of water” saying was born. That’s what I figure anyway.
NOTE: I DO NOT RECOMMEND FOLLOWING THE FOOD PYRAMID GUIDELINES
Drinking too much water, or drinking water directly before, during or after a meal can dilute the body’s hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes and inhibit the breakdown of your food. Konstantin Monastryrsky, in his book Fiber Menace, also suggests drinking the recommended eight glasses per day causes problems such as “mineral depletion and imbalances, which can contribute to digestive disorders, kidney disease, degenerative bone disease, muscular disorders and even cardiac arrest from electrical dysfunction.” Overconsumption of water may also cause constipation, contrary to popular belief. And when too much water is added to a high-fiber diet, the fibrous foods swell and ferment in the intestinal tract, leading to gas, bloating and other uncomfortable effects.
Traditional people did not drink tons of water, instead they hydrated with real milk, fermented beverages and bone broth soups. These drinks supply nutrients and do not upset the body’s homeostasis. Traditional peoples consumed plenty of fat also, which is much more hydrating than proteins or carbohydrates.
Take home message: It is best to avoid drinking liquids 30 minutes before and after a meal and, instead of drinking water, drink milk, fermented beverages or bone broth soups when thirsty. Your body most likely will not need eight glasses of fluids, especially if you are consuming plenty of animal fats in your diet. The most important thing is to listen to your thirst: when you begin to feel thirsty, it doesn’t mean you are already dehydrated. Just drink some raw milk or kombucha! If you want to drink with a meal, mix 2 – 4 ounces of water with 1 tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar, which is loaded with enzymes and will create an acidic environment for good digestion.
Weston A. Price Foundation
Fiber Menace, by Konstantin Monastryrsky