Scientists at Loma Linda University in California began following 8,280 men and 12,017 women aged 28 to 100 who had never had heart attack, stroke, or diabetes.

At the end of six years:

• Men who drank 5 or more glasses of water a day were 54 per cent less likely to have had a heart attack or stroke than men who drank 2 glasses a day or fewer.
• Women who drank 5 or more glasses of water a day were 41 per cent less likely to have had a heart attack or stroke than women who drank 2 glasses a day or fewer

The Loma Linda scientists concluded that the protective effect of drinking water was probably due to the reduced viscoscity of blood, which was less likely to clot. Also, in this study, people who drank more water drank less alcohol, sugary soft drinks, coffee, and tea, and the lesser benefit of drinking 5 glasses of water for women may have only been due to the fact that women usually have a smaller volume of blood than men.

Is there any truth to the belief that beverages other than water are dehydrating? Well, actually, water itself is not adequate for keeping you hydrated. You need at least a very small concentration of sugars and electrolytes in your overall consumption of food and drink to ensure normal fluid exchange in the intestine.

Most people, however, consume too much sugar and not enough electrolytes. As little as a tablespoon (15 ml) of fruit or vegetable juice every few hours, or the equivalent from food, may be enough to help your body stay in fluid balance.

Robert Rister is the author or co-author of nine books and over 2,000 articles on natural health including a review of the real value of colon cleansers.