Do you always keep your body healthy and hydrated? The average person needs up to 3.7 liters of water per day (less for women), though a lot of this water will come from food or other beverages.
But why do you need so much water anyway? Well, the human body is made up primarily of water. If you’re not getting enough hydration, you won’t be able to function.
We’re here to talk about the long-term effects of dehydration so you can make an informed decision about your water intake. Read on to learn more.
Cognitive Issues
If you don’t drink enough water, you’ll likely experience brain fog and a decline in your cognitive function. This can happen after only a few hours of dehydration, but it will get worse as time goes on.Â
You’ll notice that you’re prone to fatigue and moodiness when you don’t drink enough water. Because your brain is 80% water, it makes sense that there would be effects of dehydration on the brain.Â
If you’re finding it hard to focus, make sure that you’re drinking enough water. You should feel a difference right away. This is one of the early signs of dehydration that can act as a warning for future problems.Â
Kidney Problems
Kidney problems are the largest risk of long-term dehydration.Â
When you don’t drink enough water, your body isn’t able to transport waste to your kidneys. You may even end up with permanent kidney damage if you don’t drink more water when you start to notice symptoms.
Before problems get serious, you’ll notice urinary tract infections and kidney stones. Kidney stones are painful to pass without surgery, and they’re almost always avoidable.
One experience with kidney stones will ensure that you never let yourself get dehydrated again.Â
Weight Gain
Did you know that not drinking enough water can cause you to gain weight over time? While the reasons for this aren’t fully known, it’s possible that not drinking enough water leads to overeating. People often mistake thirst cues for hunger cues.Â
Drinking water will also reduce water retention and help with digestion, making it easier to lose weight.Â
How to Drink More Water
If you’re trying to beat dehydration but you struggle to get enough daily water intake, there are a few things that you can do to help.
First, keep water nearby at all times. Consider marking your water bottle with hourly water goals so you know that you’re staying on track. Refill your bottle when necessary.
Flavor your water with fruit or storebought flavorings. Avoid ones with too much sugar.Â
You can also eat foods that are high in water, like watermelon.Â
Avoid the Long-Term Effects of Dehydration
You need to drink plenty of water if you want to avoid the long-term effects of dehydration. Water keeps you healthy and alert, and you’ll feel so much better when you hydrate appropriately.
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