Jakarta –
Consuming enough water every day is very important for health. Simple yet essential, it is the body’s main source of hydration.
The reason is, water helps keep every system in the body functioning properly. Check out the facts about white water below.
1. Benefits of Drinking Water
According to Harvard Medical School’s Special Health Report on the 6-Week Plan for Healthy Eating, it notes that water has many important functions. The following are the benefits of water:
- Carries nutrients and oxygen to body cells.
- Helps remove bacteria from the bladder.
- Helps digestion.
- Prevent constipation.
- Helps normalize blood pressure.
- As a joint cushion.
- Protects organs and tissues.
- Regulates body temperature.
- Maintain electrolyte (sodium) balance.
2. Daily Water Needs
Reported by the Harvard Health Publishing website, most people need around 4-6 glasses of water every day. The rule of 4-6 glasses of water per day applies to generally healthy people.
This also depends on other fluid sources such as coffee, tea, juice, fruit and vegetables. Eating, the amount of water intake for each person can vary.
Basically, water intake is individual, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
An individual’s water needs depend on their health, as seen from how active they are and the climate where they live. You need to consult a doctor regarding your appropriate amount.
3. Characteristics of people who don’t drink enough
If a person does not drink enough water every day, then he is at risk of becoming dehydrated. Warning signs of dehydration include:
- Urine is dark yellow
- Weak
- Low blood pressure
- Dizzy
- Confusion.
4. Consequences of not drinking enough water
Dehydration is a condition of lack of water in the body. Generally, symptoms of dehydration include headaches, fatigue, or dizziness.
Quoting the Cleveland Clinic, the following are signs of the body’s condition if it lacks water:
In children:
- Dry tongue and dry lips.
- There are no tears when crying.
- Less than 6 wet diapers per day (for babies), and no wet diapers or urination for 8 hours (in toddlers).
- A sunken soft spot on your baby’s head.
- Sunken eyes.
- Dry and wrinkled skin.
- Breathe deeply and quickly.
- Hands and feet cold and mottled.
Meanwhile, symptoms of dehydration in adults may include:
- Headache.
- Confusion.
- Fatigue.
- Dizzy.
- Weak.
- Dry mouth and/or dry cough.
- High heart rate but low blood pressure.
- Loss of appetite, but may crave sugar.
- Reddened skin.
- Swollen feet.
- Muscle cramps.
- Cannot stand heat or cold.
- Constipation.
- Urine (urine) is dark in color (Pee should be pale and clear).
The best way to deal with dehydration is to drink before you feel thirsty.
5. Best Time to Drink Water
According to a WebMD page that has been medically reviewed by Jabeen Begum, MD, the following are the best times to drink water:
- When we think hungry.
- When you wake up.
- Before, during and after exercise.
- Anytime if you sweat.
- When you are sick, such as fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
- While on the plane.
- Before eating.
- When you want to lose weight.
- When getting a massage or before a body massage.
- Before and during menstruation.
- When you’re lethargic during the day.
- When you have a headache.
(kq/fds)