What happens when you don't drink enough water?

2024-02-12

What happens when you don’t drink enough water?

We hear all the time about drinking the right amount of water. Newspapers, television, and the Internet shout about it, especially during the hot summer. We all know that drinking water is important. But do we really know why? Drinking adequate amounts of water is necessary for us to live – there is no doubt about that. While the consequences of iron or vitamin D deficiencies are often noticed after months, even small water deficiencies make themselves known within a few hours. We can only survive a few days without water. Dehydration at the level of 10-15% often leads to death. Why is this happening? It is related to the structure of the human body. More than half of our body is made of water. It makes up 50 to 75% of the body.

The symptoms of dehydration

The most general answer to the question “Why do we need to drink water?” is therefore straightforward – we cannot live without it! What happens to our body when the water supply to the body is too low? The first symptoms are not as bad. Sometimes, when we are busy with work or study, we may overlook them. It’s just plain tiredness, irritability, and even hunger. This should be especially remembered by people on a reduction diet. People who drink little are in danger of being overweight or obese. Of course, it doesn’t end there. As the water shortage in the body increases, its condition and irritating symptoms will increase as well. These symptoms will be quickly joined by headache and dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, dark urine, and decreased urine output. Under normal conditions, serious dehydration is very rare, because the symptoms described above are very bothersome and, of course, we reach for a glass of water. But what would happen if we were stranded in the desert without the salutary liquid? The next stage of dehydration is manifested by palpitations, hypertension, fever, constipation, dry skin, and dry mucous membranes.

How much is enough?

So let’s remember that drinking water is very important! So how much should a person drink? You probably won’t be surprised by the answer that everything depends on many factors. The body needs to receive as much water per day as it loses on average. It is clear, therefore, that it will be quite an individual issue because it will depend, for example, on the ambient temperature and our physical activity. On average, it will be 2-3 liters of water a day. Also remember that when you are sick and have a fever, you should increase your water intake. It is during illnesses that dehydration often occurs, especially in the case of children.

Getting the right amount of water isn’t everything. Since the body does not store it, drinking large amounts at once can not only be dangerous but simply makes no sense. The best way to hydrate your body is to drink small amounts regularly, namely a few sips. Is it only water that hydrates us? Of course not. A good source of liquid is fruit and vegetable juice, and herbal infusions. However, high-sugar and chemical-laden beverages should be avoided. Also remember that alcohol, although in liquid form, dehydrates the body.

We encourage you to drink from reusable bottles and keep them always at hand, so it will be easier to remember to stay both hydrated and eco-friendly!