"Pure water to drink and fresh air to breathe invigorate the vital organs, purifies the blood, and helps nature in her task of overcoming the bad conditions of the system." (Ellen G. White).

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“If those who are afflicted would assist nature in her effort by the use of pure, soft water, much suffering would be prevented." (Ellen G. White).

 

A lack of water dehydrates the fluids, tissues, and cells of the body. It causes the blood to thicken, increasing the risks of stroke and heart disease. Dehydration can mimic hypoglycaemia, causing headaches, tiredness, and fainting spells.
 

The body requires water constantly. Most of this water is recycled within the body itself.

The body loses at least ten cups of water every day. The food we eat provides two to four cups of water, so we need to drink at least six to eight glasses each day to replace the difference.

 

Pure plain water is the best way to replace the fluid you need. Many sugar-laden beverages actually result in a loss of water from the system, because it requires more water to metabolize the sugar in a drink than the drink itself provides. Caffeine and alcohol are both diuretics which cause the body to lose water. You need an extra glass of water for every high-sugar, caffeinated, or alcoholic beverage you drink.

 

It is very important to know that drinking water with meals dilutes the gastric juice and slows the digestive process. The best time to drink water is between meals. "Water is the best liquid possible to cleanse the tissues.... Drink some, a little time before or after a meal."—Ellen G. White, Healthful Living, p. 226

 

Water is a remarkable aid in the treatment of disease. When you are ill, drink plenty of water. This replaces any fluid lost during a fever and insures that every part of your body will function well.

 

"The bath soothes the nerves. It promotes general perspiration, quickens the circulation, overcomes obstruction in the system, and acts beneficially on the kidneys and the urinary organs. Bathing helps the bowels, stomach, and liver, giving energy and new life to each. It also promotes digestion and instead of the system being weakened, it is strengthened...and a more easy and regular flow of the blood through all the blood vessels is obtained."—Ellen G. White,Counsels on Health, p. 104

 

"Impurities are constantly and imperceptibly passing from the body, through the pores, and if the surface of the skin is not kept in a healthy condition, the system is burdened with impure matter....and if the garments worn are not frequently cleansed...the pores of the skin absorb again the waste matter thrown off. The impurities of the body... are taken back into the blood, and forced upon the internal organs."—Ellen G. White,Healthful Living, p. 143

 

Food should not be washed down, and no drink is needed with meals. Eat slowly and allow the saliva to mingle with the food. The best time to drink water is at least half hour before a meal or 2 hours after meals. Although Hot water (as hot as you can take) can be drank right before a meal. A couple large glasses of hot water first thing in the morning will assist your bowels in elimination.

 

You should not drink Cold water with meals, as the body needs to first bring the water to body temperature, and then the liquid must first be absorbed before your stomach can start digesting food.   Water taken with meals, will also diminishes the flow of the salivary glands, and the colder the water, the greater the injury to the stomach.

 

"God is the source of life and light and joy to the universe. Like rays of light from the sun, like the streams of living water bursting from a living spring, blessings flow out from Him to all His creatures. And wherever the life of God is in the hearts of men, it will flow out to others in love and blessing."—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 77

 

“Frequent bathing is very beneficial, especially at night before retiring, or upon rising in the morning.” Christian Temperance p 141. (After a hot bath or shower, finish with a cold shower to close the pores, especially in winter)

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The Pores
“Impurities are constantly and imperceptibly passing from the body, through the pores, and if the surface of the skin is not kept in a healthy condition, the system is burdened with impure matter.” How to Live Ch 4 p60.

Clothing
“If the garments worn are not frequently cleansed from their impurities, the pores of the skin absorb again the waste matter thrown off. The impurities of the body, if not allowed to escape, are taken back into the blood, and forced upon the internal organs.” How to Live Ch. 4 p60.

Sickness
“Thousands have died for want of pure water and pure air, which might have lived... These blessings they need in order to become well. If they would become enlightened, and let medicine alone (meaning drugs), and accustom themselves to outdoor exercise, and to air in their homes, summer and winter, and use soft water for drinking and bathing purposes, they would be comparatively well and happy instead of dragging out a miserable existence.” Ibid p56.

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Fasting
“Fast for one or two meals, and drink only pure, soft water.” Health Reformer. (Again, only if regular meals are adequate. But in sickness, short fasts are helpful in regaining health. If fasting is for spiritual reasons, it should be short and adequate water taken)

Drinking with Meals
“Food should not be washed down; no drink is needed with meals. Eat slowly, and allow the saliva to mingle with the food. The more liquid that is taken into the stomach with the meals, the more difficult it is for the food to digest; for the liquid must be first absorbed.” Review & Herald No.31.

Cold Drinks
“Many make a mistake in drinking cold water with their meals. Taken with meals, water diminishes the flow of the salivary glands; and the colder the water, the greater the injury to the stomach.

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Ice water or iced lemonade, drunk with meals, will arrest digestion until the system has imparted sufficient warmth to the stomach to enable it to take up its work again...” Review & Herald No.31.

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Drink before Meal
“If anything is needed to quench thirst, pure water, drunk some little time before or after a meal, is all that nature requires.” Ibid. (Half an hour before a meal and an hour at least after the meal is recommended).