This year, Muslim communities around the world must feel the different atmosphere during Ramadan since many people are spending this annual religious tradition at home. However, Ramadan fasting at home can still be meaningful by doing good from home. One of them is by reminding people around us to stay healthy during fasting by staying active, eating nutritious food, and staying hydrated by ensuring adequate body fluid intake.
Although fasting changes our diet and drinking routine, our bodies still need the same fluid intake with normal days, which is eight glasses or two litres every day. Adequacy of hydration as needed, or commonly referred to as healthy hydration, serves to regulate body temperature, cell formation and body fluid balance, and function as a solvent in the process of digestion of food.
According to a study conducted by AQUA, water can reach our body cells within five minutes after entering the digestive tract. This is why people need to drink quality mineral water when breaking the fast, after eating, and by the end of suhoor (Sahur). Health experts at AQUA suggest consuming mineral water to break the fast. In scientific analysis, the first five minutes after people drink, the water will flow to the cells of the body so that the body begins to hydrate.
According to Dr. Diana Sunardi, Chair of the Indonesian Hydration Working Group (IHWG), the human body needs adequate water intake so that organs can function properly, especially during Ramadan. "When fasting, the pattern of water intake automatically changes, even though our body's metabolic system continues to work as usual. Therefore, it is best for us to keep drinking at least two litres of water every day or according to our needs, which can be consumed by two glasses when breaking the fast, four glasses in the evening until before we are going to bed, and two glasses during suhoor,” Dr. Sunardi said.
Based on the book titled Air Bagi Kesehatan (2017) and Hidrasi Sehat (2019), the role of water in our body's metabolism include helping the distribution of nutrients to the body's cells, and removing substances that are not needed by the body through the urine. "Because in five minutes water can be directly absorbed by the body, it would be better if someone prioritises consuming quality mineral water when breaking the fast. This is to ensure the body's organs, including the digestive tracts, quickly get back to its normal functions, so that nutrients from food can be absorbed properly," Dr. Sunardi added.
The Importance of Consuming Quality Mineral Water
Mineral water also fulfills the body's mineral needs, although its main source is food. Some of the benefits of minerals for the body such as zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), Sodium (Na), and Selenium (Se) are to help maintain fluid and electrolyte balance and facilitate the formation of cells and enzymes so that the function of vital organs can work well.
"Therefore, it is important for us to consume quality mineral water. According to Permenkes No. 492 in 2010 requirements, the quality mineral water is tasteless, colorless, and odorless, and does not contain harmful substances to the body," Dr. Sunardi described.
Considering the important role of quality mineral water for the body, Danone-AQUA is committed to always doing good by providing pure mineral water from a source of water that is maintained for Indonesian families, so that they can protect their health while fasting.
Danone-AQUA Marketing Manager Jeffri Ricardo explained that AQUA's drinking water source has gone through various processes of careful selection and prioritising sustainability and the health of the environment. "AQUA drinking water contains natural minerals from selected mountains where its purity is maintained. We are committed to constantly provide mineral water whose wealth and naturalness come from protected water sources, and therefore protecting the health of all Indonesian families especially during the time of fasting," Jeffri said.
