While you may have heard that you are supposed to drink lots of water each day, you may not fully understand why. Most women appreciate that drinking a good amount of water when on a diet is beneficial to losing weight. How does hydration affect your body otherwise?
Your body and your internal organs need to be kept hydrated. If you don’t drink enough fluids you are putting your body at risk. Your kidneys may not function correctly and you may experience heat exhaustion during the summer months.
It is recommended that you drink almost half your body weight as water each day. So if you weigh 120 pounds you want to drink 60 ounces of water per day. While most of this intake should be as water you can also count herbal teas towards your daily requirement.
Hydration And Your Health
Every cell, tissue and organ in your body requires water to survive. You can manage longer without food than you can without water. Water helps your body to maintain its temperature, helps you move your joints and helps your internal organs stay lubricated and functioning correctly.
In the same respect, your body loses water each day when you go to the bathroom, as you sweat and as you breathe. If you end up sick and have diarrhea or vomit then your body is becoming dehydrated. You can tell if you are becoming hydrated if you suddenly experience any of the following symptoms:
- Dark urine
- Small amounts of urine
- Thirsty
- Feeling really tired and sleepy
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Cry with no tears shed
- Feeling light-headed
Keeping Enough Fluids In Your System
You should never allow your body to get to this level and both young children and seniors are at risk for becoming dehydrated quickly. You can increase your water intake and that of your family by having more water and juice easily available. Include fruits such as watermelon into your menu during the summer months. Generally eating more fruits and vegetables all year round is a great idea as many of them contain good amounts of water.
You can tell if your body is well-hydrated by the color of your urine. If it is pale yellow or almost clear then you are drinking enough water. If your urine is dark then you need to consume more water. And no, the clear pee when you’ve been drinking alcohol doesn’t necessarily mean you are hydrated! Make sure to drink at least a glass of water between each alcoholic beverage.
Also, get into the habit of drinking water regularly throughout the day. This will help eliminate or reduce the number of night time bathroom trips you have to make. You will find that you don’t have to increase your consumption level that much, and you will notice that your skin doesn’t feel as dry either.
Water Is Your Lifeblood! Drink It!
If you suffer from dry skin on your face or body you can improve this to some degree by drinking more water. In addition, you will want to use a good-quality moisturizer on your skin.
Remember too that dry skin is part of the aging process and many women notice that their skin becomes drier as they mature. It won’t hurt to use a rehydrating moisturizer serum that contains a little oil, especially if you are prone to acne. If you find that your skin condition is bad or worsens then consult your dermatologist for their advice.
Hydration Questions
Drinking more water helps every cell, tissue, and organ in your body function optimally. It maintains temperature, lubricates organs, and aids joint movement.
Results vary, but staying well-hydrated can show benefits in a matter of days, improving skin, energy levels, and overall health.
Overhydration, though rare, can lead to hyponatremia, causing an imbalance of electrolytes. It may result in nausea, headache, or, in severe cases, seizures.
a. Maintains bodily functions
b. Supports joint movement
c. Enhances skin health
d. Boosts energy levels
e. Aids in weight loss
