But do you know the consequences of lack of water?
Maybe there are days where you’re just too busy to take a sip, and without realizing it the day is done and you’ve only managed to have one glass. You may not even realize it, but you’re hurting your body as a whole when you don’t keep hydrated.
By sweating, crying and urinating, water is continuously released, and so we have to do our part to put it back in. If you’re unaware of what can happen when you’re dehydrated, here is what you need to know.
You overeat
Weight is a serious issue as we age because it can affect our health. Maintaining a healthy weight becomes crucial then. But when we are not hydrated, we overeat which can lead to becoming overweight.
A study by the Institute of Public Health and Water Research examined the eating habits of 45 adults. Those participants who consumed two eight-ounce glasses of water before their meals consumed 70 to 90 fewer calories. After three months, the researchers noticed that those who continued to drink water before meals had lost, on average, about five pounds in comparison to their non-water drinking counterparts.
Furthermore, staying hydrated can also boost your metabolism, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. The study found that drinking water increases metabolism by 30 percent which occurs within the first 10 minutes of consumption. Therefore, if keeping your weight down is important to you and your health, I suggest you drink up.
You become moody
Cranky or irritable? It’s probably because you haven’t drunk enough water. Researchers at Tufts University had men and women perform 60 to 75 minutes of high-aerobic exercise where some participants did not consume enough water and others were properly hydrated. The dehydrated participants noted they felt fatigued, angry, confused, tense or depressed.
Additional researched published in the Journal of Nutrition revealed that women who were even slightly dehydrated – meaning their hydration dropped 1.3 percent – perceived completing tasks more challenging. The men in the study reported being more anxious and fatigued as well. So before you start shouting at those around you, maybe take a sip of some water to calm your nerves.
You can develop kidney stones
All fluid passes through our kidneys before it is expelled. Water is no different and truly important when it comes to kidney function. Kidney stones can form when there is a high concentration of chemicals in the urine which forms crystals. Kidney stones can be very painful so preventing them is the key.
Harvard Medical School notes an effective way to prevent kidney stones is to stay hydrated. Water can dilute the chemicals which can turn into crystals, so drinking enough is quite important. Harvard recommends at least two liters – eight glasses – a day to keep your body healthy.
Your skin appears more wrinkled
Wrinkles may seem like a natural part of aging, but without sufficient water you can look even older! When our skin is dry it can flake, crack and develop more noticeable wrinkles. When we consume water, our cells below the skin absorb this and, in turn, our skin appears smoother.
So if you’re looking for an easy way to look younger, look no further than getting your daily intake of water!
Our bodies need water
So there you have it. When you’re body’s not hydrated, it can lead to a variety of issues. As long as we understand how important water is to our daily life and functions, we should have no issues taking in amounts we need.
Your lifestyle will determine how much water you really need. If you are more active and sweat a lot, you will require more water than someone who is more sedentary. But in any case, we need water, so be mindful of how many glasses you’re consuming a day. Even a small percentage drop in fluid is enough to disturb your bodily functions.