Hydration and Well-Being: The Unbreakable Tie
Hydration and Well-Being: The Unbreakable Tie
Water is the source of life, we all know that. Around 70% of the human body consists of water and a regular daily intake is crucial. It helps your body remove toxins and heavy metals, maintain its temperature and keep your muscles and joints plump and agile. However, the unbreakable tie between hydration and well-being runs deeper than you’d think.
Let’s talk about some basics
We know that we should drink water every day. The matter of the amount is an information that varies from one person to another, but it is safe to say you can (and should) drink around two litres of water on a daily basis.
Some people will feel the need to drink more and this is fine, however, there is such a thing as water overdose – also known as hyponatremia. Technically, it is highly unlikely you will get to this condition, but drinking too much water can lead to some problems such as organ swelling, loss of minerals and vitamins, and headaches.
What are the symptoms of dehydration?
The symptoms of dehydration are thankfully easy to spot. If you ever start feeling drowsy or lightheaded, if your mouth is dry and your urine is darker than usual, you should rush to your kitchen or your fridge and drink a lot of water. You do not need a doctor’s prescription or a medicine to solve this promptly. It is simply important not to linger as blood pressure drops and your heart rate can speed up.
How do you measure how hydrated you are?
So, how do you gauge the amount of water you should drink? Thankfully, there is an easy method to see how hydrated you are by observing your urine. If urine is colourless or if it has a light yellow hue, it means you are well-hydrated. On the other hand, if your urine has a darker yellow shade to it, it probably means you should drink a glass or two over the next hour.
The food factor
Food isn’t just a way for you to take in nutrients and calories. You are also taking in water from different types of fruits and vegetables. Some of these foods are actually very rich in water, and they can help your daily hydration a lot.
Unfortunately, not all foods are hydration-friendly, even though it might appear counterintuitive. Sodas can actually encourage your body to excrete water and they are rich in sugar and chemicals which are detrimental to your health. Drinks rich in caffeine (coffee, tea and some types of drinks) are not as dehydrating as many people believe, but they also cause frequent urination.
The quality of water
Many people agree six to eight big glasses of water a day is quite enough, but the content of those glasses is also important. The metal and mineral content in water can vary from region to region. This means that some types of tap water can be rich in toxic metals, bacteria and other pollutants, which can create chronic health issues over time.
Bottled water is not much of a solution either, as there are still debates of medical community over the influence of plastic on the water and some types of bacteria easily develop in such environments. This is why a reverse osmosis water filter is a comprehensive solution for your household, guaranteeing the quality and safety of your drinking water, in addition to offering a great taste.
If you tend to forget yourself, you can always keep a bottle of water by your side and refill it with tap water. If you do not like the taste of it or if you know it is particularly bad quality in your region, water filters should do the trick and if you top it off with a slice of lemon or lime it will even taste great. Don’t forget to stay on the move. As you drink water, it is important to spend it through perspiration and recreation in order to excrete toxins and cleanse your body regularly.
