The importance of water intake
Water is important for many of the processes in our bodies. Water aids in lubricating our joints, transferring nutrients throughout our bodies, and gets rid of waste products that accumulate in our bloodstream. Drinking water can help prevent dehydration, can help prevent overheating, and can promote healthy bowel movements. Water has no calories and can help us feel full, so it can help with weight control as well. Our bodies are composed of about 60% water, and we often take for granted that we as Americans have easy access to drinking water. We should all be striving to consume at least 10 cups of water a day in order to continue to make our bodies function at its best.
Dangers of Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when our bodies lose more water than we intake. There are various levels of dehydration that range from mild to deadly levels. Mild to moderate levels of dehydration shows itself with symptoms such as thirst, dry mouth, little/dark urine, fatigue, headache, and dizziness. As dehydration levels get more severe, symptoms worsen to extreme thirst, very dry mouth/skin, little or no urination, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, sunken eyes, confusion, and eventually death. There are various reasons that dehydration can happen, such as excessive sweating, vomiting, diarhea, or fever. If symptoms reach severe levels, medical attention should be of priority.
Ways to upkeep water intake
Consuming water is not the only way for us to get the water content we need. Our bodies can extract the water from the foods we eat. We should still strive to consume around 8 cups of water on a normal day, and more if you are active or sweating a large amount. Not all liquids are treated the same though, as some of the drinks that are commonly consumed contain large amounts of additives and sugar. We should try to stick to drinks that do not contain such additives. Options such as seltzer waters, unsweetened teas and coffee, and infused waters are excellent options. Drinks like sodas, sports drinks, or fruit juices can be enjoyed in moderation.
Overhydration
Consuming too much water is also a possibility. Sometimes this is caused by a chronic illness, such as kidney disease or heart failure. Other ways to over hydrate include drinking excessive amounts of water within a short amount of time, or more commonly, when athletes drink nothing but water while sweating in excess. The danger of overhydration is mainly due to the effect of diluting the electrolytes that are in our blood with water, causing our bodies' cells to hold too much excess water. Symptoms of overhydrating are nausea, headache, confusion, and fatigue, potentially leading to seizures or coma.