Life is impossible without water. Every living being on the planet needs it. It helps the body to perform its function at full speed. But, keep in mind that water hydrates your body only when used in its pure and original form.
Proper amounts of water keeps health at optimal level, since water adjust body temperature and enhances digestion. Fresh water flushes toxins out of the body, and replenishes the body with fluids.
The most important benefit of water is its role as an reactant, meaning that many reactions and processes within the body require water.
The purpose of this article is to raise the general awareness on the importance of water.
Remember that juices, tea, energy drinks, coffee, and caffeinated drinks should not be used as water substitutes. They sure are liquids, but it is just not the same as pure water. Moreover, energy drinks and coffee contain caffeine, and caffeine dehydrates the body.
Your body has its own way of telling you when something is wrong. But, if you do not understand what is your body saying, here is a nice guideline:
1. Frequency of urination
If you are healthy, you are likely to urinate 6-7 times a day. However, this number varies in each individual, because not all us drink the same amount of water.
If you urinate 2-3 times a day, consider drinking more water. It is your body telling you that you do notget enough water.
Insufficient water intake affects the function of the kidneys, and leads to severe complications, meaning that they will not be able to remove the impurities from your body. Give your body a hand and drink more water.
2. Dry skin
Having a healthy skin complexion means drinking lots of water. You cannot expect a nice and smooth skin if you do not drink any water at all. Keep your skin hydrated! This will prevent dryness, plus you will be amazed of how it feels.
Having a dry skin for a long time means that you are probably dehydrated and your skin is screaming for water. If you use tons of creams and moisturizers, and your skin is still dry, your body lacks water.
Drink a glass of water every hour to maintain your hydration at optimal level. Your skin complexion will improve dramatically, and you will enjoy your smooth and soft skin.
3. Headaches
Dehydration is one of the main causes of headaches. Dehydration-induced headaches is different than common headaches. How to make a difference? Headaches caused by dehydration get even more severe as you move.
It would be practically impossible to bend down, move fast, climb up and down the stairs. The pain will only get worse. If you get this type of headache quite often, consider replenishing your body with enough water. Such headaches occur whenever you forget to drink your water, or sweat excessively.
Once you you feel it coming, drink a glass of water immediately. Make sure you sip your water slowly.
4. Dry mouth
The lack of saliva results in having a dry mouth. If your mouth is dry for quite a while, you are at a higher risk of experiencing severe damages in your oral cavity and throat.
Dry mouth is often caused by general dehydration. But, sometimes overuse of medicines may affect the production of saliva. If your mouth is dry all the time, always have a bottle of water nearby.
5. Color of the urine
Color changes in your urine often indicate severe lack of water. If you are well hydrated, your urine should be lightly colored. But, if your body lacks water, your urine will change its color dramatically.
Drink more water than you usually do, if your urine is darker. Different urine colors show your level of hydration. If your urine is brown, you are dealing with severe dehydration.
Be careful, you should not drink several glasses of water at once. This may give you serious problems. Drink your water slowly and carefully, and thus enable the body to distribute it to the required organs.
6. Hunger
Do you often feel hungry even though you have already had your meal? If craving was the first thing that popped to your mind, you are absolutely wrong.
Never confuse hunger with thirst. Instead of snacking a bag of chips, drink a glass of water. You get the feeling of hungry probably because your body sometimes confuses the signals.
So, next time you feel like eating something after your lunch, drink a glass of water. It will give you a feeling of satiety, because there was never hunger at all. It was just your body asking you for some water.
7. Dizziness
The lightness in your head should not worry you. This is probably a sign that your body had lost large amount of fluids, and it needs its water right away.
Aside from dehydration, keep in mind that sometimes fluid buildups in your inner ear may make you dizzy. Drink a glass of water whenever you feel dizzy. Dizziness is quite common in athletes who spend most of the day in the sun.
8. Symptoms of chronic dehydration
Chronic dehydration is manifested through several clear symptoms. Most of these symptoms are commonly overlooked, and the condition is recognized in its already advanced level.
Here are the most common symptoms of chronic dehydration:
- Urinary tract infections
- Premature aging
- Confusion / Anxiety
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Constipation/ Heartburn