Health benefits of drinking plenty of water - controversy

There are many natural remedies advocates which says that it is healthy to drink plenty of water as it help cleanse the body and get rid of toxins and other waste products from the human body. Some also claims that it help control weight and improve the tone of the human skin, both of which are likely to be effects greatly wanted by appearance conscious women. Many health enthusiast recommend drinking 8 glasses of water a day.

Scientific review of benefits of drinking a lot of water

Kidney specialists, Dr. Stanley Goldfarb together with Dr. Dan Negoinu, has debunk the theory that drinking lots of water is beneficial health wise. According to Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, it is a myth that drinking water has health benefits. In a review published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, they have debunked 4 myths:

1. Drinking lots of water suppresses appetite and thus help control weight. Conclusion: no conclusive evidence


2. Drinking lots of water helps flush toxin from body. Conclusion: That is not how the kidney works. Drinking lots of water only result in larger volume of urine but does not increase excretion of the various components of urine


3. Drinking lots of water reduces headaches. Conclusion: not true


4. Drinking lots of water improves tone of skin. Conclusion: No data to support this view.

The two kidney specialist are of the view that there are circumstances where drinking lots of water can be harmful. The practice of carrying plastic containers of water to drink may be harmful as harmful substance may leach from the plastic bottles into the drinking water.