Cii Radio| Sabera Sheik Essop| 17 October 2016| 15 Muharram 1438
It seems we’ve given up our ability to rely on our basic human instincts. Running around all day? Water. Exercising? Water. Hungover? Water. Sitting at your desk burning less than a calorie all day long? WATER!
We are constantly told to up our water intake. Mainly to improve our skin and general health, but as a general rule of thumb, water has become the modern nomad’s muti.
Yet, in a recent unprecedented twist a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, begs to differ.
Researchers asked study participants to rate the level of effort it took for them to swallow water under two conditions: after exercising (when they were naturally thirsty) and later in the day when they were properly hydrated (not particularly thirsty).
“If we just do what our body demands us to we’ll probably get it right – just drink according to thirst rather than an elaborate schedule.”
The majority of participants rated the effort level to be 3 times higher when asked to over-consume water. This showed a sort of water resistance, said Associate Professor Farrell.
“This was compatible with our notion that the swallowing reflex becomes inhibited once enough water has been drunk.”
The study shows that our brains don’t respond to drinking water when we’re not thirsty. In fact, the prefrontal cortex showed an increased activity level when drinking water out of thirst, rather than out of habit.
Co-author of the study Michael Farrell says, “If we just do what our body demands us to we’ll probably get it right – just drink according to thirst rather than an elaborate schedule.
Can you also feel that sensation beneath your feet? That of your world crumbling?
After it has been hammered into our consciousness for years that 8 glasses of water a day is essential to one’s very life form, this feels like a massive anti-climax.
All this “news” does, in fact, is prove that we speak mehhhhhh, instead of any of the other local South African 11 languages. That’s sheep.
Have we become emotionless slaves?
Source : w24
