Monday, November 26, 2007
Even mild dehydration is cause for worry: doc
A MYTH that endangers the lives of Filipinos these days is that mild and prolonged dehydration is nothing to worry about, a nutrition specialist said.
Dr. Rodolfo Florentino, president of the Nutrition Foundation of the Philippines, said dehydration, no matter how mild it is, reduces alertness and concentration without the person knowing it.
Florentino said mild dehydration also results in memory loss, urinary tract infection, constipation, exercise asthma, hypertension and even fatal heart diseases.
“More research is now focusing on hydration needs in the promotion of health and prevention of diseases, on physical and mental performance, and on the role of hydration in wellness and day-to-day health and lifestyle,” he said.
Florentino said the required eight glasses of water a day is also a myth. He said physically active people need more water compared to those with less activity.
Plain water, he said, is not best for all occasions. During physical activities, a person will need a quick supply of energy drinks to increase his performance.
He said aspartame, an artificial sweetener in diet and low-calorie soft drinks, is proven safe by studies in the past 20 years.
It is approved by the United States Cancer Institute and the American Dietetic Association.
These drinks are useful in weight and diabetes management, he said.
Florentino said obesity is caused by excessive diet over the years and physical inactivity, not by sweetened beverages.
“We need to drink water and beverages for our optimum health. But beverages, if taken in moderation, can be part of a delicious and nutritious diet,” he said. (NRC)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (November 26, 2007 issue)
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