Water Curbs Fainting at the Site of Blood
(HealthScoutNews, 9/26/02)

Researchers in Germany and at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee have found that drinking 16 ounces of water may prevent fainting under stressful situations or when donating blood. Dr. David Robertson of Vanderbilt and fellow researchers tested their theory by using a tilt table to place subjects at angles that would induce fainting. Scientists speculate that water is effective because it is readily absorbed and can quickly increase blood volume, thereby bringing more oxygen to the brain.