You learnt it in school, the doctors and health experts tell you that water is essential. It cannot be emphasised enough that you require water to survive. You’re made of 65% water, so it is a no-brainer that you need water.
However, despite the necessity, not all of us drink enough water. Our water bottles just sit on our tables for hours. You may say you don’t feel thirsty, but it doesn’t mean you don’t need water. It’s normal for our bodies not to ring any bells even if we are thirsty. So, the job falls on you to keep drinking water.
Your body begins to function improperly if it’s low on water. Consequently, it may start giving out some signs that you need to pay attention to. Here are some of those signs.
Persistent bad breath
The last thing you’d want is for people around you to know that you have bad breath. If you have bad breath, you don’t need a mouth freshener, but you need water.
Bad breath is one of the signs that you are not drinking enough water. In order to produce more saliva to clear bad bacteria, your body needs water. When that doesn’t happen, the body isn’t able to produce saliva to rinse away bad bacteria. Consequently, the bacteria grow in your gums or between your teeth, giving rise to mouth odour.
Dark yellow urine
When you are drinking enough water, your urine is clear. But if you are not, it turns yellow. It is one of the most obvious signs that you’re not hydrating enough.
What gives urine a yellow colour is the toxins that do not get eliminated by your kidneys. Your kidneys require water to flush out the toxins. When your body doesn’t get enough water, the filtration process of the kidney takes a toll. Consequently, you see yellow urine and observe that you are not urinating enough.
Constant sugar cravings and hunger pangs
Do you crave food all the time? If you do, it may be a sign that you are not hydrating enough. If your body doesn’t get enough water, your body will find it difficult to produce energy from glucose storage.
Consequently, you will have hunger pangs and will go for sugary food such as cakes, cookies, burgers or any other processed food high in sugar.
Dull and flaky skin
Tried all the cosmetics in the market to get glowing skin but failed miserably? If yes, perhaps you don’t need those products, but water. Your skin needs to be hydrated to give that glow you yearn for. Hence, if you are struggling with dull and flaky skin, it means you’re dehydrated.
You may also observe wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin which are another consequence of dehydrated skin. You may also develop acne and pimples when the toxins in the body aren’t flushed out because of inadequate water.
Constipation
In case you don’t poop for days, you’re constipated. One of the most common causes of constipation is inadequate water. Your body requires water to promote bowel movements in the body. You may also observe hard stool, bloating and gas as other consequences of inadequate water.
Weight gain
Did you gain weight overnight even after not having junk food? Well, it may mean that you are not drinking enough water. Your body begins to retain water when it is not getting enough water. Hence, you end up with a bloated stomach.
Chapped lips
Are you in the habit of applying lip balm all day long? Chapped lips are the first consequence of inadequate hydration.
Apart from moisturising your lips, you must also drink water. You may not even require these cosmetic products if you keep yourself hydrated.
Muscle cramps
Your body needs water to produce sweat. When it doesn’t have enough water, it struggles to produce sweat to cool itself. In those moments, you may experience muscle cramps. It may be more common for those who live in tropical climates.
Closing thoughts
Now that you know these signs, you will be able to figure out if you are genuinely dehydrated. Remember, when you keep yourself hydrated, you will prevent a lot of illnesses and health issues – from decreased energy levels to impaired cognitive function and even potential long-term health consequences.
Recognising the subtle signals that indicate dehydration is crucial, and taking steps to prioritise hydration can lead to significant improvements in both physical and mental health
So, this is your cue, grab that bottle that has been sitting at your table for hours.
