Thirsty? It’s very likely that you are even if you don’t feel like having a drink. Some believe that dehydration can’t affect us as we are surrounded by water, but it is a problem if we don’t drink it.
Chronic dehydration is a common condition and affects everyone who does not drink enough fluids. Here are several symptoms:
• Exhaustion, lack of energy. Dehydration reduces tissue enzymatic activity.
• Constipation. Normally the food getting to the intestinal tract contains much water. The intestine walls absorb the water and also absorb the nutrients dissolved in the water to supply the body with both. The rest of the food that was not absorbed turns into the stool. If you don’t drink enough water, the intestine takes too much water from the stool that leads to constipation.
• Gastritis, gastric ulcer. To protect the stomach wall from injury by gastric acid, the stomach is lined with mucous membrane which contains 98% water. Its structure is deteriorated in the case of dehydration leading to poor protective action.
• Extra weight and obesity.We often overeat because we need water contained in food. Thirst is often confused with hunger.
• Eczema. Your body requires a minimum one liter of water daily to dilute the toxins and skin irritants.
• Cholesterol.When the cells are losing water, the body tries to stop this loss by producing more cholesterol.
• Rheumatism. Because dehydration increases the concentration of toxins in the blood and cellular fluid, the more toxins, the stronger the pain.
A regular intake of fluids, water in particular, can help avoid such conditions. According to the Institute ofMedicine of the National Academy of Sciences, the average woman requires 11.5 cups of total water per day to stay hydrated, while aman needs up to 16 cups of total water per day. Approximately 80% of your daily fluids should come from beverages.
To help reach your water intake goals try incorporating the following tips into your daily habits:
• Eat water-based foods—Add water-based foods, such as lettuce, cucumbers, celery, melons and tomatoes to your meals. It will increase your daily water intake and help your waistline as well.
• Carry a water bottle—Keep a water bottle with you at all times to avoid the first sign of dehydration: feeling thirsty.
• Slow down your mealtimes by drinking a mouthful of your favourite beverage after every bite of food. This will help you reach your required amount of water for the day and can help cut down on calories consumed during each meal.
