We've all felt the stress and fatigue of our daily routines. Maybe that 2 pm slump at work has hit and no matter how hard we try, we can't get rid of the foggy feeling. Unfortunately, a majority of this is attributed to dehydration. In fact, 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. How can this be when our body is made of 60% water? With hydration, it can quickly become more complicated than we realize. The standard eight glasses of water a day doesn’t equally apply to everyone and not all liquids correlate to hydration. Luckily, our bodies communicate with us in different ways, and it is crucial to listen, especially when it comes to signs of dehydration.
How Much Water Do We Need?
When it comes to our daily water intake, we need a certain amount each day to survive, but this can vary between gender, age, and even geographical location. On average, men need to drink approximately three liters of water per day, and women, about 2.2 liters of water per day. It may sound like a lot, but water is the main component of most of our body and without it, it cannot function properly. Ensuring that our brains are well-hydrated and performing proper cognitive functions is crucial and without it, we as humans (or any species, for that matter) cannot function. As soon as we feel ourselves becoming dehydrated, our brain is already working to adjust our heart rate, blood pressure, and kidney function to store fluids.
Symptoms of Dehydration
Some of the more common symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, decreased urination, thirst, and headaches. Almost always, drinking alcohol causes our bodies to become very dehydrated, creating the same symptoms. When we drink alcohol, the ethanol from the alcohol inhibits the production of the hormone, vasopressin (also referred to as ADH or antidiuretic hormone), Healthline claims that “Typically, the brain signals the release of ADH in response to an increase in particles over fluids (plasma osmolality). The ADH signals your kidneys to hold on to water. By suppressing ADH, alcohol can make the kidneys release more water. It can have a dehydrating effect on your body that not only makes you pee more but can also cause headaches and nausea later.”
It is crucial to stay hydrated whether we are drinking alcohol or not. Luckily, each year more consumers are paying more attention to hydration with Americans having consumed 14.4 billion gallons of bottled water in 2019, up 3.6% from the previous year. As essential as it is for our health and hydration, sometimes water just isn’t good enough. In instances where alcohol is involved and it is after the fact, water will not help the dehydration that is already occurring. Consider using an electrolyte mix, such as Drinklyte. DrinkLyte will not only restore lost electrolytes but will also safely rehydrate bodies back to their normal functions. Not only is this an affordable and convenient option, but its formula (backed by the World Health Organization) is scientifically proven to be just as effective as an IV. The only other thing that can make this any better is how amazing you’ll feel after using it!
Author : Jennifer Dutton, Blog Writer, DrinkLyte Co. "Helping Grow CPG Brands Beyond Their Potential"