As we age, our metabolism slows down, and our need for water and ability to process water change. Especially after the age of 60, how to drink water healthily has become a topic that cannot be ignored. Many people think that drinking more water is better, but for older people, it's not always that simple. Today, let's talk about the situations in which the elderly may not be suitable to drink more water, and how to drink water healthily to make life more nourishing in old age!
1. Elderly people with specific diseases
First, for older people with heart disease, kidney disease, or who are being treated with certain medications, drinking too much water may worsen the condition. For example, if the elderly with poor heart function consume a large amount of water in a short period of time, it may lead to an increase in the burden on the circulatory system in the body, causing edema and even heart failure. In the elderly with reduced kidney function, due to the weakened excretion ability, it is difficult to discharge too much water in time, which may cause water accumulation in the body and further damage kidney function. Therefore, such elderly people need to follow the doctor's guidance when drinking water, and do it in moderation.
2. The elderly who get up frequently at night
As people age, bladder capacity decreases, and frequent urination at night is common. If you drink a lot of water before going to bed, it will undoubtedly increase the number of times you get up to go to the toilet at night, affect the quality of sleep, and in the long run, it may lead to problems such as lack of energy and mood swings during the day. Therefore, for the elderly who are prone to waking up at night, it is recommended to reduce water intake after the evening, and try not to drink water or drink less water within 2 hours before bedtime to ensure a good night's sleep.
3. The elderly with edema constitution
Some elderly people will have varying degrees of edema due to the decline of circulatory system function, especially at the ends of limbs such as hands and feet. For this group of people, drinking too much water can worsen water retention in the body, making edema symptoms more obvious. Therefore, they need to adjust the amount of water they drink according to their own conditions, and combine it with appropriate exercise to promote blood circulation and help water metabolism.
Healthy drinking water is recommended
After understanding several situations that are not suitable for drinking more water, how can the elderly over 60 years old drink water healthily?
1. Drink water in moderation at different times
Drinking a glass of warm water on an empty stomach after waking up in the morning can wake up the sleeping digestive system and promote the elimination of toxins. Drink a small glass of water every 1-2 hours during the day, and the total amount should be controlled at 1000-1500ml, and avoid drinking a large amount of water at one time, especially before and after meals, so as not to affect digestion.
2. Follow the principle of "drink when you are thirsty".
As older people age, they may not be as sensitive to thirst as younger people. However, you don't have to force yourself to drink water regularly and quantitatively, and you should drink water at the right time according to your feelings to avoid the burden of overdrinking.
3. Warm drinks are more suitable
Warm water or tea is more suitable for the body of the elderly than cold drinks, helping to promote blood circulation and reduce gastrointestinal irritation. Especially in the cold season, a glass of warm water can make the body feel more comfortable.
4. Choose healthy drinks
In addition to purified water, the elderly can also drink weak teas in moderation, such as green tea, chrysanthemum tea, etc., which contain antioxidants and are beneficial to the body. Try to avoid sugary drinks and drinks high in caffeine to prevent blood sugar stability and sleep quality.
5. Pay attention to the color of the urine
Observing the color of your urine is an easy way to tell if you need to increase or decrease your water intake. In general, yellowish urine indicates moderate water intake, and if it is too dark, it indicates the need to increase the amount of water to drink.
Drinking water, a seemingly simple thing, hides a university question in the elderly. As we age, we need to listen more carefully to our body sounds and adjust the way we drink water. Remember, drinking healthy water is not too much, but more expensive. I hope that every elderly person can find their own "moist" balance and enjoy a healthy and energetic life in their old age!