Health Min. reiterates the importance of drinking water

April 18, 2018

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, April 18, 2017

The Food Policy Division of the Ministry of Health is appealing to the population to observe the weekly its ‘Water Day’ challenge.

Skit demonstrating the power of choosing water over sweetened beverages.

Water Day which is observed at the Ministry of Public Health every Wednesday, encourages healthy eating and daily consumption of water as the preferred beverage for the entire day. The importance of the day was underscored at Tuesday’s launch of a Nutrition for Dietary Assistant Programme, at the Carnegie School of Home Economics, by Nutritionist, Jillian Trim.

Trim who is attached to the Food Policy Division noted that drinking appropriate amounts of water helps with weight loss, it flushes toxins from our body, it helps to improve your complexion, maintains regularity by preventing constipation, it’s a natural headache remedy, it prevents cramps, and sprains, it helps to boost your immune system, it maximizes your physical performance, it improves brain function and most importantly it saves money.”

Trimm encouraged students and members of the audience to embrace the water day and to help it to “catch on.”

“I, therefore, would like to challenge the Ministry of Education, all of the organiasations present here, students [and] teachers that we make this water day a priority.” Trim added,

“we know very well all the benefits of drinking appropriate amounts of water on a daily basis…and we know the consequences of not drinking enough water.”

To function properly, all the cells and organs of the body need water. It is also needed to: lubricate the joints, form saliva, deliver oxygen throughout the body, cushion the brain, spinal cord, and other sensitive tissues, regulate body temperature, produce hormones and neurotransmitters, help food pass through the intestines and flush body waste.

Some of the water required by the body is obtained through foods with a high-water content, such as soups, tomatoes, oranges, but most come through drinking water and other beverages.

During everyday functioning, water is lost by the body, and this needs to be replaced. Drinking water, therefore, is the best source of fluid for the body.