How Drinking Water & Staying Hydrated Can Help to Boost Your Immune System

Optimal hydration is the corner stone of a strong immune system, and therefore your overall wellbeing.

Dehydration occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn't have enough water and other fluids.

If you don't replace these lost fluids you will become dehydrated and likely will experience symptoms of physical and mental impairment to many normal bodily functions.

Rehydration involves the intake of fluids, salts and electrolytes by mouth or in severe situations through medical interventions with Intravenous fluids.

Sodium and chloride are the components in the main of IV solutions used primarily in replacing fluids and correcting electrolyte imbalances.

Cellular hydration is when the body’s cells have access to a range of balanced minerals including the all-important alkaline electrolyte minerals. 

The quality and quantity of the water we drink is a huge influence in both preventative and restorative health outcomes.

We are talking about cellular hydration where your body’s cells are truly balanced with the correct ratio of alkaline minerals. Therefore, the quality and quantity of the water you drink to hydrate is a huge factor in improving your immune system’s ability to handle stress, prevent illness and recover from disease.

The Importance of Drinking Water

It is vital that you stay hydrated. Cellular hydration is key to optimising and maintaining immunity, as all the cells within our body depend on a frequent replenishment of water to function as intended. You will steadily lose a growing percentage of water throughout the day through food digestion, sweating after exercise, even breathing! 

The Benefits of Consistently Drinking Water to Remain Hydrated

Consistently drinking a balanced mineralised alkaline water will assist in maintaining good hydration.

Promote Better Digestion

After we drink water, it doesn’t enter our bloodstream until it has passed through our stomach and intestines. Adequate water consumption therefore helps in the digestion process, bowel health, and overall circulation of nutrients. It also assists in breaking down the food you eat, isolating nutrients so your body can absorb them. This improved efficiency allows your body to be ‘topped up’ with the essential elements required to boost your immune system and overall health. By opting for alkaline mineralized water, you can help your body balance acidity.  When acidity is too high, it can actually prevent the enzymes needed to properly digest food.  

Help Remove Waste from the Body

As mentioned above, gut health determines how our body feels and operates, so it is essential to maintain for a high functioning immune system. Proper water consumption allows the body to take away the waste elements from your gut and excrete them via urination, defecation, and perspiration. This also occurs in various organs, such as the kidneys and intestines, which demand enough water to also allow a steady flow of nutrients and blood. The lymphatic system is pivotal in removing toxins and waste from cells and excreting them into the pathways for elimination. Maintaining adequate hydration is vital for effective lymphatic flow.  Together, this works to flush out the nastier bacteria and toxins present within the body, aiding the immune system in fighting off infections and diseases.

Greater Productivity with Optimal Brain Function

The brain is made up of 75% water. With various activities throughout the day, these water levels can begin to dip, causing strain on brain function, and making it harder for you to complete tasks and hold extended periods of concentration. Maintaining proper hydration with alkaline, mineralized water, will regulate brain activity to optimal levels. Mineralised water also contains important electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, sodium and calcium, which work towards repairing and rejuvenating the brain to work at its best. 

Maintain the Body Whilst Unwell

Viruses, such as seasonal flu, can cause you to become dehydrated. Hydration is always important but it is essential when trying to fight a viral flu or even the common cold. Your body requires more water when you are experiencing common symptoms such as fever, sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea and even a sore throat, which can lead to less desire to swallow, can all contribute to dehydration.

Electrolytes (alkaline minerals) are recommended by the World Health Organisation to relieve symptoms associated with virus-related mild to moderate dehydration. This is why typically patients when admitted to hospital with symptoms of dehydration, one of the first treatment protocols to be considered will be an IV saline drip individualised to the patient’s needs. Alkaline Water provides the minerals and electrolytes required by the body to maintain hydration and wellness.  

How Often Should You Drink Water?

There isn’t a one-stop solution for this. If you are wondering how often you should be drinking water, be pragmatic about it; you will be losing more and more water over the course of the day, so regular consumption is prudent for proper regulation. If you are doing something more strenuous, or the temperature is hotter, you are likely to be losing more water, more quickly, meaning you should probably drink more to offset that loss. Remember, only mineralized water will provide adequate hydration.  

How Much Water Should You Be Drinking and when?

The amount of water you need to drink will vary depending on aspects like age, size, and the amount of exertion completed within a given period. Make sure you are making the most of your investment in your zazen Alkaline Water System, and our suggestions of at least 12 glasses a day for adults and 8 glasses per day for children.   

As a general rule, drink 1 litre of water per 25kg of body weight. If it is extremely hot or you are exerting yourself more than normal (such as exercise) you may need to drink more.

• If you feel thirsty, reach for water as your first choice not coffee or a soft drink, these will actually contribute to you being dehydrated.
• If you are feeling hungry, have a glass of water first; we often think we are hungry because our bodies have been dehydrated for a long time and over this time our body loses its thirst-mechanism (the body’s ability to recognise signs that we are thirsty not hungry!).
• Half an hour before you sit down to a meal drink a glass of water, do not drink water as you eat as this dilutes the stomachs digestive juices required to effectively digest your food.
• If you have a headache, drink a large glass of water first before you do anything else. Many headaches are an early sign that you are dehydrated.
• If you are craving sweets or caffeine, this is a sign of dehydration
• If you are feeling fatigued, have a glass of water; this too is a sign of dehydration.   

What Are the Different Types of Water to Consume?  

Bore Water 

Water stores present underground are accessed through ‘boreholes’ drilled into the earth. Given the extraction process, groundwater is mostly taken from a pure source, leaving it safe to drink and containing essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium, aiding in bone strength, lowering blood pressure, boosting immunity, and better sleep quality. This becomes less true the more human activity is present around the borehole, as it can become exposed to a variety of pollutants, such as bacteria, chemicals and sediments. Water testing is typically undertaken to assess the suitability of drinking. Most people reserve that water to be used for other purposes, such as irrigation, flushing water, clothes washing, and cleaning vehicles.

Tank Water  

Water tanks used to capture, and subsequently store, rainwater are a common way to make the most of a natural water source. As it comes directly from rain, there is low mineral content, which can be both a positive and negative with consumption. Minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium can be very beneficial in drinking water, but others when ingested in excess, such as fluoride and chlorine, can lead to a range of health issues, from headaches to organ damage. Rainwater tanks must also receive constant maintenance to avoid the presence (or build-up) of rodents, algae, insects, lizards, or mosquitoes entering the openings and contaminating the water. Tanks are available in a range of materials, including galvanised steel, fibreglass, concrete and plastic. These are suitable when meeting a food-grade standard, but they can still pollute water stores. For example, galvanised tanks have been known to leach excessive amounts of zinc or lead, and concrete tanks an excessive amount of lime, leading to a higher pH in the water.

Tap Water 

Most modern homes will have a piped water supply running through to their kitchens, laundries and bathrooms. This water source is regulated by associated authorities and is largely considered to be safe to drink. That being said, tap water often lacks the vital minerals for optimal cellular hydration, and there are still risks of contaminants entering the water stream, such as pesticides, nitrate, and excessive amounts of fluoride and chlorine as mentioned above. If you are drinking tap water on an older property, then there is also a chance the plumbing and water pipes are starting to degrade, polluting the water with amounts of aluminium, copper, or lead.  

Bottled Water 

While varying amounts of natural minerals may be present, bottled water is also largely regulated by associated bodies, such as the Australian Beverages Council. All processes in relation to manufacturing and transportation of bottled water must be done in sanitary conditions to protect end users. As there are more points of contact in the distribution and delivery of the water to these end consumers,  there is still a chance of contamination, such as microplastics. The most known is bisphenol A (BPA) which are present in the containers and known to seep into the water (especially when the bottle is placed in high-heat environments). There has also been recorded incidents of other dangerous contaminants, including arsenic, E. coli, mould, and even carcinogens.  

Filtered Water 

Filtered watered is likely to be sourced from one of the options mentioned above and placed through a system designed to remove unwanted contaminants, heavy metals, bacteria, and other harmful elements from your water, leaving it completely safe to drink. While safe, the health benefits might actually be reduced by these systems, too, as in the process of removing the unhealthy substances, it can also remove those that deliver significant benefits.  

Alkaline Mineral Water  

Alkaline water contains higher pH levels than other water sources, such as tap water. These alkaline minerals are said to aid in the neutralisation of high levels of acid build up in the body, as well as reducing blood pressure, holding anti-aging and detoxifying properties, and protecting cells from damage.  

The zazen Alkaline Mineral Water System filters out these harmful elements, including the high levels of fluoride and BPAs. Once filtered, the system rebalances the water with the minerals Mother Nature intended to be present, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, in order for proper cellular hydration.  

Warm Water

Warm water is believed to have the added benefit of breaking down food faster than cold water, promote better detoxification through increased perspiration, expands the blood vessels to improve circulation, and works to remove nasal and throat congestion by moving mucous more rapidly.  

Lemon Water

Lemons are an excellent source of nutrients such as calcium and magnesium, as well as iron, fibre and an array of vitamins. Adding lemon to your water therefore spruces up the nutrient content of the substance, further aiding with improving hydration and your immune system, fighting off diseases, infections and more.  

Other Sources of Nutrition to Boost Your Immune System

Additionally, our zazen Water Natural Health Practitioners, Fiona and Caroline advise there are several nutrients you can consider to further strengthen your immune system.

1. Vitamins & minerals

• Zinc is a key mineral for immune support, found naturally in nuts, seeds, oysters, beef, lamb and green leafy vegetables. You can also choose to supplement with a 30-50mg daily dose especially during the winter months.
• Vitamin C is another key player for immune protection and support. Small regular doses through the day will optimise levels 500mg 2-4 times daily. Vitamin C is found in fresh fruit and vegetables; especially berries, kiwifruit, capsicum, citrus fruits including a squeeze of lemon juice in your first drink of water each morning.
• Vitamin D is essential for immune protection. Sun exposure helps to convert Vitamin D in our skin. A daily dose of 20 minutes of sunshine is recommended but also include foods rich in Vitamin D as well as a supplement of 1 x 1000 IU capsule daily. Foods include cod liver oil, oily fish and grass-fed butter.

2. Foods

• Fermented foods such as sauerkraut and drinking traditional Kombucha, as well as herbal teas are also all fantastic immune boosters as it is understood that 80% of our immune system is housed in our gastrointestinal tract.
• Ensure to add in natural foods with known antiviral properties such as Coconut Oil, Olive Leaf Extract, raw garlic, ginger and medicinal mushrooms. 

3. Herbs

• Traditional herbs such as Astragalus are high on the list of choices for prevention against traditional colds and flus.  

Underpinning zazen Water is a philosophy that drives and directs our product design and it comes from a holistic view surrounding health and wellbeing, and the understanding of the foundational role that water plays in the body (it is used in every bodily function) and therefore in any wellness strategy. The zazen Water Team are here to help you. Please email contactus@zazen.com.au or phone 1300 78 24 25 if you need assistance, thank you. 

Fiona Provan, Homeopath & zazen Water Sales Account Manager
Caroline Scott, Dietitian & zazen Water Sales Account Manager