ABOUT DRINKING WATER

Are You Drinking Enough Water?

In our childhood days, our elders used to say to us that to drink at least eight glasses of water per day.

We have chosen small glass to drink water daily. We didn’t know at that time that drinking enough water stays our body hydrated.

We are not drinking enough water at present even if we knew about the causes of dehydration.

Let us know about the uses of drinking enough water and causes of not drinking enough water.

All the major systems of our body depend on amount of water we intake.

Drinking enough water helps our body to

• Temperature control in our body.
• Constipation prevention
• Wash out the waste materials in our body.
• Function all major bodily functions properly.

Generally our body contains 60% of water.

If any 1% or 2% of water got decreased in our body, we feel dehydrated.

Losing this much water can affect our physical performance.

Normally, sports people lose about 6% – 10% of water.

Staying hydrated is always most important as it affects concentration, mood, brain performance and memory.

Everyone must drink atleast 3-4 litres of water on a daily basis.

DEHYDRATION AND ITS SIGNS

Dehydration occurs when fluids go out of our body in any means.

Excess loss of sodium and water from our body in the form of sweating can cause dehydration.

Getting frequent headaches can be one of the reasons for being dehydrated. This is not clinically proved but research is going on.

We usually hear that kidney stones are formed due to dehydration.

Excess intake of water dilutes the concentration of minerals and flushes through urine that is passing through the kidneys.

Water may help prevent the formation of stones in kidneys but it is not proved clinically.

Drinking sufficient water can help you to lose weight as it increases our metabolism, which can increase the number of calories to burn on a daily basis.

Signs of Dehydration:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Low in urination
• dry skin
• low blood pressure
• rapid heart rate
• rapid breathing

Dehydration is very dangerous as we don’t know what happens next like we can faint suddenly on the spot and may lead to severe health issue.

Stay hydrated most often.

REHYDRATION

If you feel dehydrated most of the time then it’s time for you to get rehydrated.

Make your own rehydration using

• Salt
• Sugar
• Water

Add salt, sugar in water and the quantities depend on the quantity of water you take.

Remember excess intake of salt and sugar is dangerous.

It is better to mix in very small quantities and check.

OVER HYDRATION AND ITS SIGNS

During hot weather or in the summer season, most people won’t drink enough water. However, drinking excess water can also be dangerous.

Over hydration occurs when the amount of salt and other electrolytes become diluted in our body due to water intoxication. Sodium levels will become drastically low due to this.

Overhydration may pressure kidneys to remove excess water in urine. This can cause more water in our bloodstream.

Problems that are caused due to over hydration

• Kidney problem
• Liver disease
• Heart disease
• Uncontrolled diabetes.

Drinking excess water is not much good unless you feel thirstier and more water flushes out through urine.

Check water intake daily and drink accordingly. Drinking atleast 4 litres of water for any one is better measurement.

FOODS THAT HAVE WATER CONTENT

Water rich foods              water content

Watermelon                                      92%

Strawberry                                         91%

Peaches                                             89%

Oranges                                              88%

Skim Milk                                            91%

Cucumber                                           95%

Soup                                                     92%

Plain Yogurt                                         88%

Tomatoes                                             94%

Cauliflower                                           92%

Cabbage                                                92%

Grapefruit                                              88%

Coconut water                                      95%

These are some of the water rich foods that help our body stay hydrated.

Develop positive thinking and come forward to help the needy on time, which improves the standard of living of ours as well as the others.

Are you drinking sufficient water?

Do comment your views about this article.

Gaining knowledge is not about knowing everything about something; it is about knowing something about everything.