Approximately, 60% of the human body consists of water and every cell present in our body requires water to function smoothly. This is the reason why, though we can survive for some weeks without eating, it is impossible to stay alive without drinking water as it can adversely affect your health and wellbeing. The human body comprises of 2/3 water and if we don’t replace the water that we lose it can lead to dire consequences. Drinking tea, coffee or soda, which most of us prefer drinking are not sufficient enough to keep us hydrated. This is the reason why it is advisable to drink clean and pure water to stay hydrated. In this blog, we discuss some of the severe consequences of dehydration or lack of drinking water on the body.
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Health Effects of Drinking Less Water
Below mentioned are some effects of drinking less water on your body:
Dehydration
Dehydration is the primary effect of not drinking enough water. Even 1% of dehydration may adversely affect your cognitive performance such as mood, motor coordination, and memory. Dehydration concentrates your blood, thereby triggering your kidneys to hold water. As a result, you are unable to urinate. The more concentrated and thicker your blood becomes, the harder it becomes for your cardiovascular systems to compensate the increasing heart rate to maintain your blood pressure. Lack of water intake also affects your body temperature. The reason is your body’s cooling system does not work properly, which can lead to cramps, dizziness, and heat stroke. Children and elderly people are more prone to dehydration, which makes it necessary to ensure that they stay hydrated.
Stomach Ulcers
The stomach has a coating of mucus, which is 98% water and 2 % of sodium bicarbonate. This mucus protects your stomach by neutralizing acidic digestive fluids. However, dehydration interferes with this process and can’t produce the mucous lining. In such a scenario, you have an excessively acidic stomach, along with indigestion, which eventually leads to ulcer of the stomach lining.
You may also Read: Side Effects of Drinking Too Much Water
Joint Pain
One of the ways to maintain your bone health is by drinking enough water. The reason is cartilages present in the joints consist of about 80% of water. If you are dehydrated, your bones grind against each other, leading to joint pain. When you drink enough water, the joints in your body are lubricated and capable of dealing with sudden movements, such as running, jumping or falling awkwardly, without any pain.
Digestive Problems
Water is essential to help you deal with your digestive problems. Water keeps your intestines smooth and flexible, making it easy for food to move through it. You also need to drink sufficient water to avoid constipation and maintain proper bowel motions. Lack of drinking water results in toxic build-up which will also affect your health. Long-term constipation can also be the beginning of various digestive disorders such as abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, loss of appetite and bloating.
Premature Ageing
The body of an infant is made of 80% water. However, with age, the amount of water present in your body keeps declining. As we age, our body naturally holds a less amount of water, which is the reason why we need to increase water consumption. Lack of water in your body also leads to internal and external aging. So, if you have noticed symptoms such as flakiness, dryness or skin irritation, which lead to premature aging, it indicates that you are not drinking enough water.
Always Drink Pure Water
All in all, water is crucial element in every aspect. Drinking tea, coffee, or sodas can’t replace water and its benefits. If you are dehydrated, drinking 2-3 glasses of water is not sufficient to recover from the problem. As a result, you need to pay some special attention to check whether your body is dehydrated. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned below, you are suffering from dehydration and need to take appropriate steps to compensate the water loss. The symptoms are:
- Dark yellow urine
- Rapid heartbeat
- Rapid breathing
- Dry mouth
- Extreme thirst
- Headache
- Sleepiness
- Ways to Stay Hydrated
Considering the health problems that you may face as a result of dehydration, it is essential to keep a record of the liquids that you drink. In addition to drinking sufficient amount of clean and safe water, you also need to include foods and vegetables in your diet that keep you hydrated. Foods such as cucumber, lettuce, watermelon, muskmelon, and oranges help you stay hydrated. Keeping a track of the amount of liquid you drink can help you stay hydrated.
Always Drink Pure Water
Drinking water is not enough. You need to ensure that you drink safe and clean water which is free of contaminants. Installing a water purifier from a renowned brand ensures that you drink water that is free of contaminants. A decent water purifier uses a combination of purification technology to remove physical impurities, microorganisms and different types of chemicals present in water. Some of the best water purifiers that you can choose from are Kent, Aquaguard, and Pureit.
Also, read How To Remind Yourselves To Drink Water