September 9, 2026
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I’ve been drinking water wrong.
The plastic water bottles I have been using are harmful.
BPA is short for the chemical, bisphenol A. It’s used to make lots of products, including water bottles. But research shows BPA can get into your food and drinks. There’s also concern that too much exposure can lead to birth defects. More research is needed, but experts think the chemical might also play a role in some health conditions. These include high blood pressure, hormonal imbalance, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. I now opt for water bottles that say they’re BPA-free or made with glass or stainless steel.
Cold water doesn’t narrow your blood vessels or make food harder to digest. It’s an easy way to cool down and hydrate when you’re hot. If you have a cold, drinking warm water will help thin your mucus, but that’s about it.
Adding lemons may make your water tastier and more refreshing. It can also fill it with food-borne illness, such as salmonella and E. coli. That’s because when the rind isn’t clean, slicing into it moves bacteria to the flesh. Fruit and vegetables sliced on the same board used to cut raw meat can also lead to food-borne illness. So can items not stored at the right temperature. Be sure to wash or scrub fruits and vegetables under running water.
Alcoholic drinks are diuretics, which means they trigger your body to make more urine. And urinating a lot can lead to dehydration. To avoid this, match your drinks one for one: that’s one glass of water for every cup of coffee or alcoholic drink.
I used to drink just enough to get my pills down my throat. Now, I use vitamins and medication as an opportunity to hydrate. Drinking a full glass of water also helps keep medicine from getting stuck in the esophagus and irritating it. It helps to better absorb water-soluble vitamins, too.
Often, I have added flavouring to improve the taste of a glass of water, but I have learned it's fine occasionally, but doing it every day isn’t recommended. Research suggests artificial flavourings and sweeteners may put you at higher risk for Type 2 diabetes and cancer. They can also make you feel hungry more often. Try to avoid anything with sugar, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, or sucralose. Use lemon, lime, mint, herbs, or cucumbers instead. But don’t forget to wash them first.
Feeling fatigued could be a sign of dehydration. You don’t have to be sick or exercise hard to get dehydrated. You lose water every day through basic body functions, such as breathing and bowel movements.
Your body is mostly water and uses it in many ways. It helps digestion and can ease and ward off constipation. It also flushes out toxins, stops kidney stones from forming, and hydrates your skin. The recommended minimum daily amount is 11.5 cups for women and 15.5 cups for men.
Drinking liquids isn't the only way to stay hydrated. You typically get about 20 per cent of your water each day from food. You can get even more if you eat certain things. And there are benefits to taking in water through food: You absorb it more slowly and get nutrients along the way.
Cucumbers are 95 per cent water and low in calories. They also may help fight inflammation and slow the aging process. They’re great in a salad or as an edible scoop for dips.
Carrots may be a surprise. Crunchy and dense, you wouldn’t think they’re full of water. But they are, around 90 per cent. And they’re loaded with beta carotene and other antioxidants that protect you against cancer and keep your heart strong. Add them to a salad or have them as a snack.
Zucchini is 95 per cent water. It has antioxidants that help protect your cells from damage, including two that are good for your eyes. It’s great grilled or roasted in the oven.
Iceberg lettuce is 95 per cent water, and while it has fewer nutrients than some other greens, it does give you a few things. Besides fibre - which helps keep you regular - it also delivers potassium, manganese, iron, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous - all essential minerals that can help keep you healthy.
Spinach can be used raw in a salad or sauteed as a side dish. It doesn’t have quite as much water as iceberg lettuce, but it’s loaded with Vitamin K, folate, manganese, and magnesium, plus antioxidants that help fight inflammation and cancer.
Celery is my favourite as it has a satisfying crunch and is still 95 per cent water. It’s also low in calories and high in Vitamin K, folate, and potassium. And celery is good for digestion because it has lots of fibre and helps prevent inflammation in your digestive system.
Cauliflower is 92 per cent water. It’s also rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and other essentials. And it contains nutrients that may help lower cholesterol and protect you against cancer. But don’t boil it - roast it to keep in the nutrients.
Soup is a favourite winter snack/meal for me. The whole idea of soup is that it’s largely liquid. But it’s a great way to get fibre and nutrients as well - and there’s one for every taste. Make broth from fish, chicken, or vegetables, and add almost anything to it, from beans to greens and meats - even pasta. Homemade chicken soup is not only good for hydration, but it also might help fight the common cold.
Tomatoes are 95 per cent water, and they can add flavor and sweetness to a sandwich or salad. They have lots of antioxidants, including one called lycopene that may help fight cancer. They also can help lower “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and may boost your overall heart health.
Watermelon is my summer treat and is a good way to stay hydrated when it’s hot. It’s sweet, but low in calories, and can quench your thirst, thanks to its 91-per-cent water content. Like tomatoes, it has lots of lycopene, an antioxidant that may protect your cells from sun damage and help your skin.
Strawberries are 91 per cent water and have lots of antioxidants, especially flavonoids - chemicals that help your brain stay sharp and healthy. Eat them for dessert with a bit of whipped cream or put them in a summer salad.
Yogurt is 95 per cent water and a great source of protein and electrolytes that make your heart and other organs work the way they should. It also has bacteria (probiotics) that are good for digestion and help keep you regular. Have some with a few strawberries to get even more water in your afternoon snack.
Although not one of my favourites, I respect the power of grapefruit. That sour bite can sure wake you up in the morning. Plus, at 90 per cent water, it will help keep your body hydrated. It’s also full of fibre and nutrients, especially Vitamin C, which helps your immune system and can protect your cells against damage. But it can cause problems if you take certain medications, so check with your doctor first if you take any prescription drugs.
The bottom line for me is not to chase the eight glasses per day theory but to work each day to consume water in as many and varied ways as possible.
'Till next time!
Written ByBill Pike is a retired elementary school principal. He and his wife, Sharon, have lived in Kincardine for 47 years, enjoying fulfilling careers, rural life, three wonderful children, and four outstanding grandchildren. Golf in the summer (poorly), pickleball, guitar-playing, long leisurely walks, the sunny south and family all fill his time. This project is as an effort by him to share his interest about the topics affecting seniors and how they can advocate for their issues. The statement, “Getting old isn’t for the faint of heart,” is real! The rewards of retirement can sometimes be accompanied by aches, pains, medical concerns, and general wellness issues. In this column, Pike takes a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of senior living. Don’t laugh at age, pray to make it!
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