Digestive problems, bad skin, bladder and kidney weakness, fatigue, headaches – these are just some of the negative consequences that dehydration can have on our bodies. Water is almost as important to us as the air we breathe. That’s why adequate water intake (at least two liters per day) should not be taken lightly. We give you 11 reasons why you’d better avoid the consequences of dehydration.
Thirst as a warning signal of dehydration.
Did you know that dehydration, colloquially known as dehydration, starts even before you feel thirsty? The best way to counteract this is to take small sips of water throughout the day. It’s best to always have a glass of water close at hand. There is no definition of when one is talking about dehydration.
Signs of dehydration
Symptoms that indicate you are dehydrated are:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Yellowish urine
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
From a fluid loss of more than 20 percent of the normal water balance, severe dehydration can quickly become life-threatening. In such cases, an electrolyte solution must often be administered intravenously, which is mixed with particularly many minerals.
Children and dehydration
Infants and toddlers, in particular, quickly run the risk of dehydration because they often cannot yet communicate that they are thirsty. Take special care if your child has vomited several times or is suffering from diarrhea, as this causes babies to lose a lot of fluid while often refusing to take in fluids or food altogether. If you suspect your child is dehydrated, offer a variety of drinks regularly and, if in doubt, make an appointment with the pediatrician right away.
Seniors and dehydration
Elderly people, in particular, should make sure they drink enough fluids. Despite a declining sense of thirst, important organs, such as the kidneys, must be constantly supplied with fluid in order to function reliably. Dehydration of patients is a frequent problem, especially in nursing homes. Due to swallowing disorders, incontinence or lack of motor skills, there is a risk that elderly people can no longer take care of their water balance on their own. Dehydration prophylaxis is therefore an important topic, especially in nursing homes. Patients should learn to drink again on their own. To this end, favorite drinks are identified and every form of hydration should be documented by the nursing staff. In severe cases of dehydration, forms of artificial hydration should be discussed with a physician.
Water preferred
There is often a misconception that sweet drinks such as juices, soda, or tea keep us as hydrated as mineral water does. However, this assumption is not correct. On the contrary, when beverages contain extra sugar and extra salt, valuable amounts of water are consumed in order to flush them out of the body again. If you still don’t want to give up your coffee, you should have an extra glass of water for every cup of coffee.
11 reasons why you should drink more
- Defeat inertia: Water is the body’s main source of energy. Dehydration slows down enzyme activity in the body. This causes fatigue and sluggishness. If you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, try drinking two glasses of water right after you get up. This helps the blood circulation to get going and is also much healthier than drinking coffee on an empty stomach.
- Lower high blood pressure: Normally, our bodies are made up of 92 percent water. Dehydration makes the blood more viscous and provides more resistance as it flows through the body. This then leads to high blood pressure.
- Prevent asthma and allergies: the histamine produced by the body increases exponentially due to severe dehydration. Too much histamine in the blood often leads to histamine intolerance or can promote asthma attacks.
- Mitigate skin conditions: Dehydration prevents the skin from its natural detoxification. This is necessary to counteract skin diseases such as psoriasis and dermatitis. Skin aging and discoloration can also be reduced.
- Avoid high cholesterol levels: When the body is dehydrated, it produces more cholesterol to prevent cells from losing water. Too much cholesterol in the blood can lead to atherosclerosis, among other things. Therefore, especially if you have high cholesterol, you should make sure to drink enough.
- Prevent indigestion: Too little water and minerals can lead to a number of diseases. These include stomach ulcers, gastritis and heartburn.
- Relieve kidney and bladder problems: If the kidneys and bladder are too rarely flushed with water, it provides a target for various bacteria. This can lead to bladder infections, infections and pain.
- Unclogging: If dehydration is present, the colon is the site from which water is first extracted. This causes food debris to move forward there much slower than when the colon is adequately hydrated.
- Resolve joint pain: The cartilage between joints is made up mostly of water. Long-term dehydration weakens the cartilage and causes joint pain and joint stiffness.
- Avoid weight gain: Without hydration, cells quickly go into retirement and metabolism slows down. Many then tend to eat more, although their body is only thirsty.
- Prevent premature aging: when the body is dehydrated, its largest organ, the skin, ages faster. It collapses and looks pale and old faster.
The human body is made of water
While the water content in the body of a newborn is almost 80 percent, the water content of the body drops to 45 percent during life. In males, the percentage of water in the body is usually higher because muscle mass contains more water than fat tissue. Other components of the body and their respective water content:
- Brain: 75% water
- Blood: 92 % water
- Bones: 22% water
- Muscles: 75% water
Lose weight thanks to water
Drinking water speeds up the metabolism and makes you feel “full” faster. You automatically eat less when you drink a lot of water. Sufficient fluid intake has been shown to help you lose weight. People who drink two glasses of water before each meal have less appetite and can lose weight more easily. A study by the University of Birmingham found that overweight subjects could lose up to 5 kilos in 12 weeks if they drank half a liter of water before each meal. Cold water also boosts metabolism for at least half an hour. However, even though it is tempting, you should avoid drinking water that is too cold when it is hot in the summer. Cold water sends a signal to the brain to ramp up body temperature rather than the other way around. Warm water is especially good for detoxifying the body. The lukewarm temperature of the water ideally dissolves toxins from the cells. If you avoid sugary drinks and drink only mineral water, you can save more calories and lose weight faster.
With or without carbonic acid?
Opinions differ when it comes to the type of mineral water: still, light or strongly sparkling? Carbonic acid is supposed to promote blood circulation and cleanse the taste buds. Nonetheless, carbon dioxide is a natural toxin that must pass quickly out through the lungs. It is harmless in small amounts, but it places additional demands on the organs in their daily tasks.
