Do you consume adequate amounts of water

Another summer with record-breaking high temperatures is on the horizon, and the news media is starting to repeat the same thing over and over again: we should drink lots of water to be well hydrated. But because water is essential for so many bodily processes, it’s a lesson that should be remembered not only during heat waves but all year long.

Nothing is more refreshing than a great glass of ice-cold water, I’m sure you’ll agree. In spite of this, the majority of us do not consume enough water each day. We are causing ongoing harm to our bodies by denying ourselves access to the most abundant natural resource on the planet. Drinking a refreshing glass of water will help you if you encounter any of the following.

1. Your oral cavity is parched:
   The implications may not be as clear-cut as this seems. It goes without saying that you would go for some kind of drink whenever you had that unpleasant, sticky sensation in your mouth. However, sugar-filled beverages only address a short-term issue. Long after that initial sip, drinking water will keep your mouth wet with saliva because it lubricates the mucous membranes in your throat and mouth.
2. You Have Dry Skin :
   Naturally, your skin needs to be hydrated because it is the largest organ in your body. Actually, one of the first indications of severe dehydration, which can result in far more serious issues, is dry skin. Lack of water results in less sweat, which makes it harder for the body to remove extra oil and grime that has accumulated over the day. Drinking extra water should be your first line of defence if you want to prevent outbreaks.
3. Your thirst is excessive:
   We’ve already discussed dry mouth, but thirst is more than just a parched tongue. Anyone who has ever experienced a hangover knows that your body just cannot get enough water when you wake up. Drinking water causes the brain to transmit “YES PLEASE!” signals until your fluid levels return to normal because alcohol dehydrates the entire body. Your body understands what it’s talking about, so pay attention to it!
4. You Have Dry Eyes:
   It should be obvious by now that drinking water has effects beyond your mouth and throat. Dry, bloodshot eyes are caused by dehydration (remember that last throbbing hangover). Your tear ducts dry up when your body is dehydrated. In case you’re wondering, “What if I can’t cry?” Recognise that this could seriously damage your eyes, particularly if you use contacts every day.
5. You Feel Pain in Your Joints:
   About 80% of our spinal discs and cartilage is composed of water. To prevent our bones from grinding against one another with each stride, this is a must. Maintaining proper hydration helps your joints withstand the impact of abrupt motions like sprinting, jumping, or falling awkwardly.
6. You Gain Less Muscle Mass:
   Additionally, the majority of your muscles are made of water. It goes without saying that a body with less water has less muscular mass. In addition to keeping you comfortable and hydrated, drinking water before, during, and after a workout helps your body absorb water in the proper locations and reduces the likelihood of experiencing discomfort and inflammation from lifting weights and exercising.
7. You Get Ill More Often:
   Water consumption enables your body to continuously eliminate contaminants. Your organs filter specific waste products like a machine, but they can’t function well if you don’t feed them water. When your body is dehydrated, your organs begin to draw water from stored places, such as your blood, which causes a whole new series of issues. You Feel Weary and Listless :
8. The body “borrows” water from your blood when it is dehydrated, as we just discussed. Insufficient blood hydration results in insufficient oxygen delivery throughout the body. Lack of oxygen, of course, causes drowsiness and complete exhaustion. You will begin to feel the 2 PM crash earlier and earlier in the day if you lack stamina (keep in mind that coffee won’t help in the long run).
9. You Get Pangs of Hunger:
   Your body may begin to feel the desire for meals when you are dehydrated. This occurs during the day and at night when you wake up with a midnight snack yearning. But although drinking water cleanses your organs and gives your body the energy it needs to perform the various functions it performs, consuming food makes your body work harder.
10. You Deal with Digestive Issues:
    We already discussed the mucus in our mouths and throats and how maintaining proper hydration enables the membrane to work as intended. This holds true for the digestive system as a whole. When you don’t drink enough water, your stomach’s mucus production and strength decreases, which makes it easier for stomach acid to seriously harm your internal organs. This results in what we usually call indigestion and heartburn.
11. You Feel Constipated:
    Maintaining hydration aids in lubricating the digestive tract. The colon uses up the water that the intestines would have utilised in the subsequent stage of digestion during the dehydration process. Without going into too much detail, I’ll let you figure out what happens when the intestines don’t have enough lubricant.
12. Your Urination Has Decreased:
    It’s likely that you’re not drinking enough water if you don’t use the loo four to seven times a day. Additionally, it should be clear or light yellow when you go with option #1. A darker yellow indicates that your body isn’t getting enough water. Urinary tract infections can result from severe dehydration; in such circumstances, you should see a doctor immediately.
13. You Get Older Too Easily:
    As we become older, our bodies naturally retain less water. This obviously suggests that we should intentionally increase our water intake as we age. The harm that early ageing causes to our internal organs will eventually be felt, even though it is more noticeable on the surface. It’s crucial to keep drinking water throughout your life to reduce the chance of overtaxing your body.
14. You have come this far and are reading this:
    It’s likely that you thought, “I don’t think I drink enough water,” if you clicked on this page. Women should consume approximately 1.6 litres of fluid per day, while males should consume approximately 2.0 litres, according to the European Food Safety Authority and numerous other recommendations.

A woman would have roughly eight glasses of 200ml each, and a male would have roughly ten glasses of 200ml each. However, a person’s hydration requirements will change based on a number of variables, such as their size, the temperature, and their level of activity. For instance, you’ll need to drink more water if you’re exercising vigorously in hot weather.

Water, milk, and fruit juices are the healthiest beverages, although all beverages are acceptable, even hot beverages like tea and coffee. It is advised to stay away from alcoholic beverages. Additionally, steer clear of soft, sugary, and carbonated beverages that may have a lot of added sugar. These can be tooth-damaging and heavy in calories.