How important is water?

Cheryl Sarmiento, MD. • November 17, 2020

7 Consequences of dehydration:

1. The brain reacts to changes in the blood volume. Drinking water will help increase the blood volume to allow for better circulation in the body. If your brain detects a deficiency in nutrition or water, it’s defense mechanism is to cause inflammation, resulting in headache, loss of function, and dehydration.

2. Digestion begins in the mouth; water is required in the formation of saliva which is necessary for overall gut function. Not only is water necessary for saliva and the breakdown of foods, water deficiency can also make stool drier and difficult to pass. Besides, fibers from foods need water to be properly digested as well. Without enough water, you may experience bloating and gas on top of constipation

3. When you are tired and fatigued, it could be a sign of dehydration. When you are thirsty, water is more hydrating than a caffeinated drink or alcohol, which could further dehydrate you. So although you may feel fatigued, you should drink more water rather going for that caffeine kick. Caffeine and alcohol are known to cause the body to eliminate more water rather than absorbing it to increase hydration, leading to further dehydration.

4. Dehydration can make you feel hungry. This results to unnecessary snacking. One of the behavioral modifications made during weight loss is to drink water when you feel hungry first. In doing this, you'll fill up on water (0 calories) before grabbing for high calorie foods to snack on. This will avoid the extra calories of unhealthy snacks. Water has zero calories and the best method to detox your body, eliminating waste and purifying your body.

5. The number one priority for brain health is HYDRATION. Study shows a 2-4 % decrease in your body mass due to dehydration can cause mild cognitive impairment, possibly leading to car accidents and driving errors during a long drive. In order to keep your brain healthy, you want to keep it hydrated and at its optimal functioning. This will help avoid any accidents or mishaps in your daily life and keep you sharp.

6. Dehydration can put you in a bad mood. Neurotransmitters and hormones regulate our body's functions and need water for transport in and out of the cells. Because of this, it makes sense that dehydration causes mood disturbances. If the correct hormones and neurotransmitters can't enter and exit the body's cells, then it can lead to a deficiency of some hormones, which can affect your moods.

7. Hydration helps maintain a comfortable body temperature. Dehydration can cause your body to have difficulty regulating its body temperature, especially in hot environments. So if you are feeling the heat, you may want to try drinking water first before you lower the thermostat.

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