What do you think?
Rate this book
Water For Health, For Healing, For Life: You're Not Sick, You're Thirsty!
Asthma, allergies, arthritis, hypertension, depression, headaches, diabetes, obesity, and MS. These are just some of the conditions and diseases that are caused by persistent dehydration. But there is a miracle solution that is readily available, all natural, and free: water.
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2003
232 people are currently reading
825 people want to read
About the author
F. Batmanghelidj
34 books45 followersFereydoon Batmanghelidj, M.D., an internationally renowned researcher, author and advocate of the natural healing power of water, was born in Iran in 1931. He attended Fettes College in Scotland and was a graduate of St. Mary's Hospital Medical School of London University, where he studied under Sir Alexander Fleming, who shared the Nobel Prize for the discovery of penicillin.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 7, 2012
This book has healed me so many times from allergies, sinus infections, and skin issues. I read it years ago, but re-read it this week because I needed some modivation to work at not getting dehydrated so easily. READ READ READ this book! It will make an amazing difference in your life. 8 glasses of water a day is a myth...you may need much more.
September 10, 2020
Amazing book. Explains how dehydration of the body results in so many diseases and how adequate drinking of water prevents the same. From treating 3000 stress induced peptic ulcer case to explaining how our modern liquids that have replaced water drinking lead to so many physical problems. Other things: how to eliminate asthma and allergies, how to prevent heart failure, stroke, Alzheimers. Parkinsons and cancer. And especially how to lose weight without dieting.
I have been drinking much more water and have seen 40 pounds come off without dieting. This book is well worth reading. His water cure doesn't cost anything - why not try it.
I have been drinking much more water and have seen 40 pounds come off without dieting. This book is well worth reading. His water cure doesn't cost anything - why not try it.
December 11, 2012
This book will change your life, starting with your awareness of your own body. An excellent read for people who dislike doctor visits, pharmaceuticals, or even being ill for that matter. In fact, I recommend that everyone read this book, cover to cover.
March 4, 2010
I gave this book five stars because the information in it is important and so easy to apply. Everyone reading this has access to water and salt. As reading goes, it does get a bit heavy with jargon on occassion and it is repetitive which can get a bit dull. He was definitely not the most thrilling writer. With that said, I did enjoy the book a lot. The basic explanations were easy to understand and make sense with everything I know about how the body works. The jargon came in as he tried to explain more indepth about how the body works.
The woman who recommended this book to me has suffered for about ten years, since her early twenties, with severe arthritis pain. She increased her water intake and added some salt and now her arthritis pain has been greatly reduced and she hopes with time it will disappear entirely.
I have personally seen the effects of water in removing headache and migrane pain.
So, we all know we should drink water to be healthy. But, do we drink enough and regularly enough to keep our bodies consistently hydrated? And do we add some salt too if we are drinking a lot because urinating removes the necessary salt from our bodies?
After reading this book and seeing all the problems dehydration can cause in your body, I want to drink enough. Plus, it is a non-evasive and free remedy. Can't hurt... might help.
He recommends taking your weight and dividing by 2. Then, drink that number in ounces daily. So, someone who weighs 150 pounds would drink 75 ounces of water daily. If you don't weigh much, the minimum is 64 ounces daily. Also, you need to increase your salt intake to replace the salt expelled from your body from increased urination. He recommends 1/2 teaspoon daily for every 64-80 ounces of water.
I could go on and on, but you should just read one of his books or check out his website. He spent approximately 25 years of his life researching water. The website is www.watercure.com Also, some others put out a website www.watercure2.com that has a basic formula for following the water cure. It explains how much water to drink and salt to add to your diet to replace the salts that are washed from your body.
The woman who recommended this book to me has suffered for about ten years, since her early twenties, with severe arthritis pain. She increased her water intake and added some salt and now her arthritis pain has been greatly reduced and she hopes with time it will disappear entirely.
I have personally seen the effects of water in removing headache and migrane pain.
So, we all know we should drink water to be healthy. But, do we drink enough and regularly enough to keep our bodies consistently hydrated? And do we add some salt too if we are drinking a lot because urinating removes the necessary salt from our bodies?
After reading this book and seeing all the problems dehydration can cause in your body, I want to drink enough. Plus, it is a non-evasive and free remedy. Can't hurt... might help.
He recommends taking your weight and dividing by 2. Then, drink that number in ounces daily. So, someone who weighs 150 pounds would drink 75 ounces of water daily. If you don't weigh much, the minimum is 64 ounces daily. Also, you need to increase your salt intake to replace the salt expelled from your body from increased urination. He recommends 1/2 teaspoon daily for every 64-80 ounces of water.
I could go on and on, but you should just read one of his books or check out his website. He spent approximately 25 years of his life researching water. The website is www.watercure.com Also, some others put out a website www.watercure2.com that has a basic formula for following the water cure. It explains how much water to drink and salt to add to your diet to replace the salts that are washed from your body.
July 18, 2025
With all the migraines I was experiencing, my manager said I needed to increase my water intake. She also loaned me the book. I now have a better understanding of just how important water is to our health. Though some of the jargin was a little more technical, I was able to get the gist. Would recommend this book to anyone who wants a different approach (?better) than being tried and tested with pill upon pill upon pill that just does not seem to work. I have noticed an increase in my energy level, as well as experiencing fewer migraines.
Thanks Jane!
Thanks Jane!
December 13, 2010
This book could also be rated 2 or 3 stars. I give it 4 stars because of the ultimate message and because I like descriptions of physiology. People who don't like to get into the nitty-gritty of the workings of the body can just use the take-away message. Drink half of your body weight in ounces and make sure you are getting adequate salt.
But, if you like physiology, you might want to read it. There are chapters on different disorders and diseases and descriptions about how water is involved and how dehydration is the ultimate cause of the problem.
A HUGE problem though, is that the author doesn't quote many outside sources. He relies mostly on his own research, which might not be bad, but it isn't cited. And, he doesn't often point the reader to other sources outside of his own books he has written.
It can be fairly repetitive and the writing is not terribly good. However, recently I have been drinking lots more water on a regular basis and I'm interested to see how this affects my overall health!!
P.S. I admit that I didn't read the whole thing. There were sections that were less interesting to me that I skimmed or skipped.
But, if you like physiology, you might want to read it. There are chapters on different disorders and diseases and descriptions about how water is involved and how dehydration is the ultimate cause of the problem.
A HUGE problem though, is that the author doesn't quote many outside sources. He relies mostly on his own research, which might not be bad, but it isn't cited. And, he doesn't often point the reader to other sources outside of his own books he has written.
It can be fairly repetitive and the writing is not terribly good. However, recently I have been drinking lots more water on a regular basis and I'm interested to see how this affects my overall health!!
P.S. I admit that I didn't read the whole thing. There were sections that were less interesting to me that I skimmed or skipped.
May 11, 2010
My mom recently recommended You're Not Sick, You're Thirsty by F. Batmanghelidj, M.D., a medical professional from Iran. Dr. B. spent three years as a political prisoner in an Iranian prison where he discovered, that without access to medicine, prisoners responded to water to cure their ailments.
Read complete review at http://chereemoore.blogspot.com/2010/...
Read complete review at http://chereemoore.blogspot.com/2010/...
August 19, 2011
This is an amazing read about a doctor who, while imprisoned during the war began finding that he could cure his fellow prisoners and prison guards with nothing but pure water. You will discover the science behind why water cures so many things that we typically think require expensive pharmaceuticals.
January 26, 2009
This book is very insightful into the inner workings of the human body. Dr. Batmanghelidj explains simply the benefits of being fully hydrated. The suggestions in this book have already helped my back pains. I highly recommend this book.
January 18, 2012
Lots of wild leaps and long reach conclusions.
I don't dispute that the body needs more water than we tend to give it. But I also know that water doesn't cure all the diseases the author claims it does.
I don't dispute that the body needs more water than we tend to give it. But I also know that water doesn't cure all the diseases the author claims it does.
March 15, 2012
Not the easiest read because he's not dumbing anything down, but not impossible either. Everyone should read this - really eye-opening. An easy, free change that could potentially make a HUGE difference.
January 18, 2023
The author was an Iranian doctor who trained in the UK then returned to Iran. He later moved to the U.S. He passed away in 2004. This book is an expansion of his ideas first proposed in his earlier book, Your Body's Many Cries for Water.
July 3, 2012
I love this book. How many of us ever think about water and how important it is to the entire functioning of our body. We only think of it when we are thirsty. The author did an excellent job of outlining just why it is important and we don't drink near enough of it.
Read
July 8, 2018I love the overall idea and definitely recommend this book. The only downfall is that it can get a bit repetitive which makes it a bit of a drag to finish. Once you get the general idea, you will feel enlightened.
February 8, 2021
Overall, good information on the importance of drinking more water for the body’s health. But I found some inaccurate or outdated health information info, and lots of typos. I do like the premise of this book and there are some valuable nuggets about the medical industry in here.
February 28, 2017
It just makes sense that many of our problems are related to not enough water. A good read but check it out from the library - not a keeper.
April 24, 2025
My interest in this book was sparked quite unexpectedly. I had just begun to actively track how much water I was drinking each day—something I'd never done before. True to my nature, I decided to dive a little deeper into the science behind hydration, and that's when I came across You're Not Sick, You're Thirsty! by Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj.
What initially seemed like a niche topic quickly revealed itself to be far more significant. The book is surprisingly comprehensive and dives into the biological and physiological importance of water in the human body. Dr. Batmanghelidj outlines the role dehydration plays in the development and persistence of many chronic ailments, suggesting that symptoms we often treat with medication—such as headaches, hypertension, asthma, and even depression—may actually be the body’s way of signaling its need for water.
What stood out to me most was the way he combines scientific explanation with anecdotal evidence. There are detailed sections on how water impacts cellular processes, digestion, circulation, and energy regulation. These are interspersed with testimonies from people who reportedly alleviated longstanding health issues simply by improving their hydration habits. It was both informative and compelling.
Another strong point in the book is his emphasis on balance—water intake shouldn’t be considered in isolation. Dr. Batmanghelidj stresses the importance of salt consumption alongside water, offering specific guidelines on how much natural salt to include per quart (or ounce) of water. This was something I hadn't considered before and added a practical dimension to the advice.
He also makes it clear that not all liquids are equal. Coffee, sodas, and even fruit juices are called out for their diuretic effects, which can actually exacerbate dehydration rather than relieve it. His focus remains squarely on pure water—no substitutes.
All in all, You're Not Sick, You're Thirsty! is a compelling read that made me rethink how vital proper hydration is, not just for energy and skin clarity, but as a core pillar of health. It’s one of those books that’s worth having on hand for reference—especially if you're taking your health seriously or if, like me, you enjoy connecting the dots between daily habits and long-term well-being.
What initially seemed like a niche topic quickly revealed itself to be far more significant. The book is surprisingly comprehensive and dives into the biological and physiological importance of water in the human body. Dr. Batmanghelidj outlines the role dehydration plays in the development and persistence of many chronic ailments, suggesting that symptoms we often treat with medication—such as headaches, hypertension, asthma, and even depression—may actually be the body’s way of signaling its need for water.
What stood out to me most was the way he combines scientific explanation with anecdotal evidence. There are detailed sections on how water impacts cellular processes, digestion, circulation, and energy regulation. These are interspersed with testimonies from people who reportedly alleviated longstanding health issues simply by improving their hydration habits. It was both informative and compelling.
Another strong point in the book is his emphasis on balance—water intake shouldn’t be considered in isolation. Dr. Batmanghelidj stresses the importance of salt consumption alongside water, offering specific guidelines on how much natural salt to include per quart (or ounce) of water. This was something I hadn't considered before and added a practical dimension to the advice.
He also makes it clear that not all liquids are equal. Coffee, sodas, and even fruit juices are called out for their diuretic effects, which can actually exacerbate dehydration rather than relieve it. His focus remains squarely on pure water—no substitutes.
All in all, You're Not Sick, You're Thirsty! is a compelling read that made me rethink how vital proper hydration is, not just for energy and skin clarity, but as a core pillar of health. It’s one of those books that’s worth having on hand for reference—especially if you're taking your health seriously or if, like me, you enjoy connecting the dots between daily habits and long-term well-being.
June 27, 2017
This is a very interesting book. A little technical and repetitive at times but well worth reading. Gave me a better understanding of how my body works and the importance of water as well as the effect of diuretics such as alcohol and coffee. I will be drinking more water, adding a little salt and walking an hour a day! Everyone should read this book Dr. "Bataman" clearly lays out the case that dehydration in the body is the cause of many "issues" we have with our body from heartburn to weight gain to asthma and more!
October 26, 2017
You hear people say you should drink 6-8 glasses of water a day, but this really shows you why. It's a fascinating account of how dehydration affects your joints, your organs, cholesterol, histamine and more. There's a figure that shows what a dehydrated stomach lining would look like next to a hydrated one, for instance. Muscle aches, stuffiness, dry skin, hunger pangs, all kinds of things can be signs of dehydration. Thirst is the last sign, long after your body parts are desperate. Very useful information.
June 10, 2017
Required read for anyone interested in well-being ...
Great review of the medical literature on dehydration as well as selective "chronic illnesses" that are in fact most likely signs of chronic dehydration. Well worth reading ... and if you a health care professional, especially useful j. Giving you an alternate theory for what signs & symptoms mean and an alternate hypothesis for the etiology of major diseases of the Western world.
Great review of the medical literature on dehydration as well as selective "chronic illnesses" that are in fact most likely signs of chronic dehydration. Well worth reading ... and if you a health care professional, especially useful j. Giving you an alternate theory for what signs & symptoms mean and an alternate hypothesis for the etiology of major diseases of the Western world.
August 17, 2020
Thoroughly informative, well expressed book on merits of hydration.
This book, the first I’ve ever encountered on dehydration, has sent me back to the water jug and increased my daily consumption of water by 50%. Plus I am adding decent salt to the jug.
I feel my health will benefit from practicing what I’ve learned from Dr. “Batman’s book.” I will share my new found knowledge with family and friends.
This book, the first I’ve ever encountered on dehydration, has sent me back to the water jug and increased my daily consumption of water by 50%. Plus I am adding decent salt to the jug.
I feel my health will benefit from practicing what I’ve learned from Dr. “Batman’s book.” I will share my new found knowledge with family and friends.
January 27, 2025
Very eye-opening book about the importance of drinking water. A lot of people do not get enough water in their systems, which can cause a lot of health issues, some you wouldn't even think would be connected. While he lists many reasons why you should be drinking a lot of water, he also goes into detail about how our bodies are supposed to function when we're fully hydrated.
Definitely enjoyed reading his thoughts, and looking forward to reading his other books.
Definitely enjoyed reading his thoughts, and looking forward to reading his other books.
January 15, 2018
This book gave me insight on how industrialized modern medicine has become, and how so much can be prevented by just by drinking water. It is simple to understand and easy to apply to ones life. It explains how the body absorbs and uses water giving you a better understanding of why it is important.
March 29, 2020
Loved The Information
I learned a great deal about WHY being properly hydrated is so important. In addition, I loved his explanation of how nutrition and exercise fit into the whole scheme of health. I felt that I walked away with a complete picture of what healthy habits should look like. It is a very motivating read,
I learned a great deal about WHY being properly hydrated is so important. In addition, I loved his explanation of how nutrition and exercise fit into the whole scheme of health. I felt that I walked away with a complete picture of what healthy habits should look like. It is a very motivating read,
May 26, 2022
I like to drink only clean and healthy water, but I don’t like bottled water at all. Filterway's specialists will help you find the best Sears refrigerator filters here https://filterway.com/refrigerator-fi.... Sears fridge water filter extracts water contaminants with a thin sheet of an activated carbon layer.
July 13, 2021
Not sure I can say i believe everything 100%, but there is a lot of valuable information regarding hydration and how the body functions with/without water. Discussion at home has led to us increasing our water intake, so we consider it a win. 👍🏼
July 2, 2017
Нужная и важная книга. В общем, с тех пор мой любимый рецепт: "попей воды" )
September 22, 2021
Excellent
This is an excellent book for any one . it is presented in s way that you can understand but yet holds your interest.
This is an excellent book for any one . it is presented in s way that you can understand but yet holds your interest.
November 18, 2021
great book
The book opened my eyes about dehydration and the many effects it had on the body. I’m really looking forward to practice the information provided by the author.
The book opened my eyes about dehydration and the many effects it had on the body. I’m really looking forward to practice the information provided by the author.
April 2, 2023
Excellent and eye opening book on the benefits of salt and water for our bodies.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews