Adam's ale

Yes, you did read that headline correctly, and I wasn’t talking about Southwold’s finest, after leaving a letter out of their name. Instead, I’m talking about water, yes plain, unadulterated and some might day boring water, even though without this molecule there would be no life on earth, and none of us would be here.

Water (chemical formula: H2O) is a colourless and transparent fluid which forms the world's streams, lakes, oceans, and rain, and is the major constituent of the fluids of organisms. As a chemical compound, a water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms that are connected by covalent bonds.

"Adam's ale" is a colloquial expression, that referred to plain water. The term is thought to have originated in 16^th or 17^th centuries and is a reference to the biblical story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, where water is said to have been their only drink. In this sense, "Adam's ale" is used to refer to water as being a natural and basic necessity for life, much like it was for Adam & Eve.and if water was good enough for old Adam, it should be good enough for us. That's if you believe such people existed, of course, but even if you don't the allegory is there and remains valid, for discussions such as this.

It goes without saying, of course, that Adams ale is not to be confused with “Adnams ale”, which refers to the product of the well-known brewery from Southwold in Suffolk. The term Adams ale became popular in Victorian times, particularly with the rise of the anti-alcohol, Temperance movements, and yet the majority of us tend to eschew the fluid that is literally the “water of life.” Water is essential for life. It helps with everything from transporting nutrients around your body to controlling your temperature. It can even help you to have healthier skin.

UK Government advice on fluids is to consume 6-8 glasses per day (around 1.2 litres in total, which equates to 6 x 200ml glasses or 8 x 150ml glasses). Those doing strenuous physical activity or living in hotter or more humid climates may need more than this, so it is important to drink sufficient fluids in order to keep your body hydrated. Most adults need between 2 to 2.5 litres of fluid a day, which is around 8 glasses. We get most of the fluid we need from drinks, but some also comes from the foods we eat, such as soups, stews, fruit, and vegetables. It is important to make sure we replace the amount of fluid our bodies lose each day, in order to prevent us becoming dehydrated.

Ready for a few more facts – our bodies lose about 1.5 litres of fluid a day when we pee, around 200ml in a typical bowel movement, and about 500ml through sweat. In addition, we also lose fluid just by breathing. To complicate things further, the exact amount of fluid we need depends on things such as, age, exercise, plus climate and environment. To elaborate, as we get older our bodies store less water and our kidneys don’t work as well as they once did. In addition, the more physical activity we undertake, then the more we need to drink, and finally if it’s hot and are sweating a lot, then we need to drink more fluids.

Returning to Adam’s ale, water is a good choice when it comes to meeting your body's needs for fluids. It doesn't have any calories and if you drink tap water – it’s free. If you don’t like the taste, then you can add a slice of lemon or a little sugar free cordial. 

The flavour angle is an interesting one, as for years I steered clear of water, purely because I didn’t like the taste. Instead, I preferred squash, or fruit juices, and although I enjoyed fizzy drinks, whilst in my teens, I soon realised that these so-called “sodas” – as the Americans would describe them, weren’t terribly good for one, given their high levels of sugar or, even worse, artificial sweeteners. 

It was when I began long-distance walking that I switched to drinking water – mainly the stuff that comes out of the tap, but sometimes shop bought, bottles water instead. I managed to put aside my dislike of its taste, and whilst beer, tea and coffee will always remain as my favourite drinks, I am more than happy to enjoy a swig of Adam’s ale, straight out of my water bottle. This is especially true, after a strenuous hill-climb, when out on a cross-country ramble, or whilst stopping for a “breather,” on a long, and an equally demanding walk.

It's only when you are really thirsty though, and I mean so thirsty that your mouth is dry, your tongue feels cracked, and all you can think about is a glass of cool, clear, and refreshing water, that Adam’s ale really comes into its own. For this reason, my water bottle is filled and ready, every time I set out on a hike, and if the weather is especially warm, and the walk long, then I will often take a second bottle of water along with me as well.

There is normally a glass of water by my bedside at night, as well, because it isn’t that unusual for me to wake up in the middle of the night, with a dry mouth and feeling thirsty. I also have my water bottle perched on my desk at work, as I feel it’s important to stay well-hydrated throughout the day. So, whilst beer remains my favourite, and go-to drink, water now fulfills a role when drinks such as tea and coffee are not available, and when drinking alcohol, would not be a good idea (at work, before getting behind the wheel of a car, first thing in the morning, etc)