Almost every blog about fitness, energy levels, getting better sleep, reducing the risk of injury, and even alleviating stress mentions drinking enough water. 

It makes up about 60% of you and its vital for pretty much every single function of your body.

But before we start discussing why you need more water, we want to start by debunking a water-myth.

A lot of blogs promoting water consumption state that around 75% of Americans are not getting enough water. Some even use the term ‘chronically dehydrated.’ Well, there isn’t actually any citable evidence for that!

Keep reading to learn more about what to consider if you are not drinking enough water and what you need to know about water consumption for health.

You Might Not Be Drinking Enough Water

There are a number of factors that are going to determine how much water you should be drinking. 

1. Climate

2. Exercise

3. Body Mass

4. Age

5. Overall Health 

It’s actually pretty hard to pin a number of glasses of water on the entire population. The closest we can get is the Food and Nutrition Board’s dietary reference intakes for water.

It suggests that the adequate intake (AI) of water for healthy men and women, between 19 and 30 years old, living in a temperate climate is 3.7 liters for men and 2.7 for women.

You should also know that the moisture in foods will usually contribute 20-30% of this total water intake.

How Do You Know If You’re Drinking Enough Water?

The most reliable way to be sure is by looking at your pee. If your urine is darker than a light straw color, then your body needs fluid. 

After this, it’s back to common-sense. If you feel thirsty, then your body needs water. You’ll probably find yourself reaching out for a bottle of water long before you become overly dehydrated.

What would happen if you didn’t?  

The 5 Most Dangerous Effects of Not Drinking Enough Water  

1. When you’re dehydrated, water moves from inside your cells to the bloodstream in an attempt to maintain blood volume and pressure. If dehydration continues, tissues of the body begin to dry out and cells begin to shrivel and malfunction

2. This means that your brain shrinks. The cells in your brain dry out and contract when deprived of fluid.

Not only will this give you a headache, but your brain will start needing more energy to function. This results in impaired cognitive function and changes in mood. 

3. Your blood gets thicker. When this happens your blood volume decreases and your heart has to pump harder in an attempt to maintain blood pressure and ensure enough oxygen is delivered to your organs.

4. Your body will struggle to regulate its temperature, leading to a condition called hyperthermia – an abnormally high body temperature eventually causing damage to the brain and other organs

5. When you’re dehydrated, your large intestine absorbs the water your body needs from your food waste. This means that your stools become hard and more difficult to pass.

Keep That Water Bottle on Hand

Not drinking enough water can make you feel sick. So, the good news is you can make sure you stay hydrated by drinking some water whenever you’re thirsty and keeping an eye on your pee. 

Just remember to drink water regularly and increase your intake if you’re exercising, it’s hot, or you’re feeling unwell.

If you’re a business owner, a great way to ensure your team and customers stay hydrated is by providing your own custom labeled bottled water. Contact us for a free quote today!