Well, you’ve probably heard and know the fact that the human body is mainly composed of water and we need to consume certain amount of water every day – if we want to survive. Did you know that your muscles and kidneys are composed of 73% water, and your blood is composed of 83% water, that your lungs are 90% water and your brain is made up of 76% water? I can bet that you didn’t know that. You should also know that we lose water when we breathe and daily through urine and sweat so replenishment is crucial. You probably know and you’ve heard that you should drink between 6-8 glasses of water a day. Well, according to the medical experts, males need to consume 3 liters or 12 cups per day and females need to consume 2.2 liters or 9 cups per day for optimal hydration. Failing to consume the recommended amount can lead to mild dehydration manifesting in multiple symptoms.
1. Your Urine is Dark Yellow
This is often the first sign that you are not drinking enough water. Generally, urine should be a light yellow-amber colour. When a person does not consume enough water, the kidneys excrete a “higher concentration of waste products in the urine, including dead blood cells, toxins, proteins and other products that need to be removed from the body”, resulting in darker urine.
You may also notice darker urine after consuming certain medications, B-Vitamins, beets, blackberries, asparagus or food colouring. If you notice a temporary change in urine colour, first consider if you’ve consumed something that would alter the colour of your urine. Next, increase your water intake and observe if your urine colour becomes lighter. If your urine stays dark for a prolonged period of time, it could be a sign of more serious health concerns such as hepatitis or gallstones.
2. Your Urine Output is Reduced
You should know that an average adult person urinates between 6-7 times within a 24-hour period. But, if you don’t drink enough water, there is less fluid available to replace the fluids being excreted from the body. So, your kidneys attempt to retain as much fluid as possible to prevent dehydration. If you urinate less than 6 times a day, consider your water intake and increase if necessary.
3. Constipation
Dehydration is one of the most common causes of constipation, and constipation can often be resolved by increasing water intake. If you are not fully hydrated, your body will try to absorb water from wherever it can, including your colon. A sufficient amount of water in the large intestine is crucial for soft, easy-to-pass stools. Naturally, a lack of water will lead to harder stools that are difficult to pass.
To prevent or treat constipation, ensure you are consuming adequate amounts of water in addition to increased fiber found in fruit and vegetables. Constipation can also be the result of physical inactivity, hypothyroidism, intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis, food sensitivities and stress. If you are drinking adequate water, consider other causes of constipation.
4. Your skin is dry and wrinkles are more defined
Many different women around the world spend too much money on expensive moisturizers to keep their body soft and smooth. And some of them pay high prices for procedures to reduce and eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. But, before spending your money, make sure you increase your water intake. The famous Dr. Diana Howard, says that dehydration can lead to irritated, inflamed, itching and sensitive skin. In severe cases, skin can flake and scale or become severely red with cracks and bleeds. Simultaneously, when your skin loses moisture, the cells shrivel, causing wrinkles to appear more defined and making the skin look older. She also says that the best way to revitalize your skin is to nourish it with water.
5. Hunger and Weight Gain
The body is so intrinsically smart but has a glitch – it does not know the difference between hunger and thirst. The hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for regulating hunger and thirst, often gets confused, causing hunger pangs in response to thirst. Reaching for a snack instead of a glass of water leads to excess caloric intake and weight gain.
If you’re trying to lose or maintain your weight, make sure you are consuming adequate amounts of water. If you feel hungry, grab a glass of water before going for a snack and wait 10-15 minutes to see if the hunger has passed or if it’s still present. If you are still feeling hungry then it is true hunger and time for you to eat.
6. Thirst and Dry Mouth
Did you know that if you feel thirsty for water, that’s an early warning sign that you are already dehydrated? A dry mouth often occurs with thirst and signifies that the mucus membranes in the body need hydration. So, what you should do – well, the only way to resolve thirst and a dry mouth is to drink water throughout the day.
7. Headaches
When you don’t drink enough water, your body will attempt to preserve and reabsorb water from all of your tissues to compensate for the lack of fluid intake. Subsequently, your brain tissue loses some of its moisture and shrinks, pulling away from the skull. Pain receptors are triggered resulting in a headache. Simultaneously, when you don’t drink enough water, blood volume drops, reducing the amount of oxygen being carried to the brain. Blood vessels in the brain dilate in response leading to swelling and inflammation, intensifying the headache.
8. Fatigue
A recent study has found that mild dehydration can cause fatigue, tiredness and low energy. When you’re dehydrated and the blood volume decrease, the heart has to work harder to push oxygen and nutrients through the body. So, the next time you start to feeling tired, skip the coffee (which is dehydrating!) and drink a glass of water instead. Note: you should know that coffee, tea, soda and sports drinks are not substitutes for water.
9. Joint Pain
Water acts as a lubricant to the joints, allowing two bones to slide over each other as the joint moves. When the body doesn’t receive enough water, the joint becomes nutrient deficient leading to damage of the cartilage cells. If you are chronically dehydrated, your cells will eventually reach a tipping point and the cartilage will degenerate beyond repair. If you suffer from joint pain, be mindful of your water intake and increase if necessary.
10. Weak Immune System
Dehydration increases the concentration of toxins in the blood, which can weaken the immune system. Optimal hydration is essential in assisting in the elimination of any illness byproducts and helps the immune system ward off infection.
Source: torontoweightlossclinic.ca
