Maintaining fluid levels plays an important role is staying healthy during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Water is one of the most important components of the human body representing between 60 to 70 percent of the human body weight. Water plays an important role in the vital performance of many body systems and organs.
Water maintains the balance of electrolytes within the body and it is necessary for absorption of many nutrients as water also provides a suitable environment for a lot of chemical reactions within the body.
According to the new recommendations by the United States-based Institute of Medicine, men and women should drink 3.7 liters and 2.7 liters of water respectively per day.
During the Holy Month of Ramadan, it is necessary to drink plenty of fluids, especially water because of the long period of fasting and high temperatures. Water, juices and soups, as well as vegetables and fruits, are good sources of fluids for the body.
However, a fasting person should drink extra water because water contains no calories and could compensate for the body’s fluids lost due to fasting.
Other calorie-rich drinks can cause weight gain and stimulant drinks such as coffee and tea can increase fluid loss because they are diuretics. Some vegetables such as watercress and fruits like watermelon known for their high content of water are recommended as a rich source of liquids.
Eating meals high in salt and hot spices may increase thirst and the body's need for water, therefore eating such foods are not recommended at Suhoor as they may cause extreme thirst during fasting.
It is also preferred to drink lukewarm water instead of cold water especially at breakfast as this aids digestion. In order to encourage drinking more water, lemon slices or mint can be added to give water a sweet flavor and increase the desire to drink.
Water is the dynamo of life and without it the body may not perform some vital functions efficiently.
