It’s shaping up to be another summer of record-breaking high temperatures, and the news media is starting to sound like a broken record, too, reminding us to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Yet it’s a vital message to remember not just during a heat wave, but all year long because water supports so many important functions in the body.
I’m sure you’ll agree that there’s nothing more refreshing than a drink of ice-cold water. Despite this, the majority of us do not consume enough water on a daily basis. We are perpetually harming our bodies by denying ourselves of the world’s most natural resource. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, a refreshing drink of water will help.
- Your mouth is parched.
This appears to be self-evident, yet the consequences may not be. Of course, if you get that sticky, awful feeling in your mouth, you’ll grab for something liquid. Yet, sugary drinks are simply a band-aid for a deeper problem. Water lubricates the mucus membranes of your mouth and throat, which keeps your mouth wet with saliva long after you take your initial sip.
- You have dry skin.
Because your skin is the greatest organ in your body, it must be kept hydrated. In fact, dry skin is one of the first indicators of severe dehydration, which can lead to far more serious issues. A lack of water results in a lack of sweat, which prevents the body from washing away excess filth and oil acquired throughout the day. Drinking extra water should be your first line of defense against breakouts.
- You’re excessively thirsty
We’ve already discussed dry mouth, but thirst extends beyond a desert-like tongue. Everyone who has ever woken up with a hangover knows that your body just cannot get enough water. Because alcohol dehydrates the entire body, drinking water sends “YES PLEASE!” messages to the brain until your fluid levels return to normal. Pay attention to what your body is saying; it understands what it’s talking about!
- You Have Dry Eyes
It should be obvious by now that drinking water impacts more than just your mouth and throat. A lack of water results in dry, bloodshot eyes (again, think of that last pounding hangover). Your tear ducts dry up when you don’t have enough water in your body. If you’re thinking, “So what if I can’t cry?” keep in mind that this could do considerably greater damage to your eyes, especially if you use contacts on a daily basis.
- You Suffer from Joint Pain
Our cartilage and spinal discs are composed of around 80% water. This is absolutely necessary in order to prevent our bones from grinding against each other with each step we take. By staying hydrated, you allow your joints to withstand the impact of rapid motions like jogging, jumping, or falling awkwardly.
- Your Muscle Mass Is Declining
Your muscles are primarily made up of water. Less water in the body obviously indicates fewer muscle mass. Drinking water before, during, and after a workout not only keeps you hydrated and comfortable, but it also gets water to the proper areas in your body, lowering your risk of developing inflammation and pain from exercise and weightlifting.
- You Remain Sick for a Longer Period of Time
Drinking water assists your body to wash away toxins on a regular basis. Your organs work like a machine to filter out specific waste materials, but without water to fuel the machine, it cannot function effectively. In a dehydrated body, organs begin to draw water from stored regions such as your blood, causing a whole new set of difficulties.
You are tired and lethargic.
As previously stated, when you are dehydrated, your body “borrows” water from your blood. A lack of appropriately hydrated blood reduces the amount of oxygen carried throughout the body. Of course, a shortage of oxygen causes sleepiness and lethargy. A lack of stamina will cause you to crash around 2 p.m. earlier and earlier in the day (and remember, coffee won’t help in the long term).
- You are experiencing hunger pangs.
When you are dehydrated, your body may begin to believe that it requires food. This occurs during the day, as well as at night when you wake up seeking that midnight snack. Yet, consuming food requires more labor from your body, whereas drinking water cleanses and feeds your organs with the fuel they require to go through the other processes that a body goes through.
10. You are having digestive issues.
We already discussed the mucus in our mouths and throats and how staying hydrated allows the membrane to function properly. This holds true for the entire digestive system. Without adequate water, the volume and strength of mucus in the stomach decreases, allowing stomach acid to cause significant harm to your internal organs. This causes what is usually known as heartburn and indigestion.
- You Have Constipation
Keeping hydrated aids in the lubrication of the digestive system. The colon uses up the water that the intestines would have used in the following step of the digestive process during the dehydration process. I’ll let you figure out what a lack of lubricant in the intestines causes without getting into too much detail.
- You have decreased urination
Believe it or not, if you don’t use the restroom 4-7 times per day, you’re probably not drinking enough water. When you do go #1, make it a pale yellow or clear color. If it’s a darker yellow, your body is warning you that it’s dehydrated. Dehydration can cause urinary tract infections in severe situations, in which case you should see a doctor straight once.
- You Have Premature Aging
Our bodies’ ability to retain water naturally decreases as we age. Presumably, this suggests that as we age, we should increase our water intake consciously. While premature aging is more visible on the appearance, the harm it causes on the inside will be felt over time. It is critical to drink water throughout your life to reduce the risk of running your body bare.
- You’ve made it this far because you’re reading this.
If you clicked on this page, you probably thought, “I don’t think I drink enough water.” The European Food Safety Authority and many other organizations recommend that women drink about 1.6 litres of liquids per day and males drink about 2.0 litres. That’s roughly eight glasses of 200ml for a lady and ten glasses of 200ml for a guy. However, the amount of water a person needs to drink to be hydrated depends on a variety of factors, including their size, the temperature, and how active they are. Thus, if you’re exercising vigorously in hot conditions, you’ll need to drink more.
All liquids count, even hot drinks like tea and coffee, but the healthiest options are water, milk, and fruit juices. It is advised to stay away from alcoholic beverages.
Additionally, avoid sugary, soft, and fizzy drinks, which are heavy in added sugars. They are high in calories and are unhealthy for your teeth.
