Let us talk about water, or rather, a lack of it. Water is your body’s BFF; however, you need adequate quantities of H2O to ensure you can handle it in ways you might not have imagined.
We can do it in steps. First, mild dehydration is characterized by losing about 5% of body weight. Moderate dehydration? That’s a 10% loss. At 15%, severe dehydration is a big red flag that will definitely require medical attention stat.
The Water Intake Lowdown
So, how much water should you be drinking every day? Per the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, approximately 11.5-15.5 cups of fluids should be consumed daily. Yep, you read that right: fluids, not just water. That orange you just ate? Counts toward your fluid intake.
Now, to the interesting part. What are the stealthy indications that you need to be hydrated sufficiently? Hold tight; some of these might be surprising.
The Breath Test
First on the list is dragon breath. A bad smell may require to drink some water. More bacteria, less saliva, and less water. That is the stinky mouth situation.
Water is not a mask of mint gum; it is the real cure. The bacteria that cause odor can be banished by keeping your mouth moist.
Hit the Snooze Button
Feeling tired? The cause could be your dried body. During dehydration, the blood thickens. This means your heart works so much to send all those goodies to your cells. Result? Fatigue city.
Surprisingly, dehydration can slow down your weight loss efforts. Calorie burning requires chemicals in the body, and water is needed for all the chemical reactions within your body. Therefore, inspect your water bottle first to see if one’s weight stays the same.
Craving Central
Have you ever had cravings that won’t go away when it comes to weight? Instead of that chocolate cake, try a glass of water. Dehydration can lead to sugar cravings because it is difficult for you to metabolize glycogen.
And there’s more! General cravings also result from water deprivation. Why? Your body needs fluids to convert that stored glycogen into glucose, which is used for energy.
Potty Talk
Next up, let’s talk pee. If your urine tells the dark vibes, it is an indicator of your dehydration. A healthy color is pale yellow. If you pee anything darker, you should go straight for the tap.
Do you only visit the bathroom at most four times a day? That’s a red flag, people! This implies that your body is “hoarding” water like a toddler with their comfort blanket.
The Bloat is Real
Feel like a bloated balloon? That is not just yesterday’s dinner. The other effect of dehydration is the retention of water, including in the stomach, resulting in both bloating and cramps.
When you are dehydrated, your skin is also crying out for help. It is not only a winter problem. If your body lacks fluids, oily skin can dry out as well.
Beauty and The Dehydration Beast
Do you not sweat like you used to during workouts? The water inside your body is trying to retain moisture instead of evaporating it. The dryness is attributed to the strike of your sweat glands.
But wait, there’s more! Gaining a few extra pounds? Maybe it is dehydration that is making you think that you are hungry before you accuse those midnight snacks. Simple as that, more munching, more weight.
Foggy Brain Alert
Here’s a brain-boggler for you: even a mere 2% decline in your body’s water levels can interfere with your memory and even your math skills. Yep, not only does dehydration make you feel physically tired, but it also reduces your mental wattage.
Dehydration for a long time doesn’t only mean that you will not be able to find your car keys, but your brain cells will eventually shrink up. Less mass, less power. Keep that water bottle by your side and drink plenty of it when doing your brainy stuff.
Mind the Mood
On a lighter note, let’s get emotional for a while. If you feel grumpy and cannot explain why, look at your water consumption. Perhaps you are just thirsty and not angsty.
When dehydrated, you can feel it from your chapped lips to dry skin. All these small annoyances may accumulate to make you quite grumpy.
