Drinking insufficient water over a prolonged period can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when the body doesn’t have sufficient water. Without enough, your body can’t function properly. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe depending on how much fluid your body is missing.
You lose bodily fluids naturally when you sweat, breathe, pee, cry, or spit. These liquids are replaced when you drink and eat foods that contain water. If you do not drink enough water, you can get dehydrated. Dehydration may also occur when you have a fever, diarrhea, vomiting or excessive sweating.
An easy way to tell if you are drinking enough water is by looking at the colour of your urine. If it is clear or light yellow, it means you are drinking the recommended amount, if it is dark yellow, you are probably dehydrated. Signs of mild or moderate dehydration include thirst, dry or sticky mouth, headache, passing very little urine. Severe dehydration may present signs including very dry skin, sunken eyes, feeling dizzy, lack of energy, feeling confused or sleepy, fainting. Symptoms for babies and young children can be different from adults and include no tears when crying, dry diapers for over 3 hours, dry mouth and tongue.
If you are experiencing symptoms of severe dehydration, visit your doctor of health care provider.
You’re thirsty and have the option of drinking soda, juice or coconut water. Which do you choose? Here’s a hint…coconut water is filled with vitamins and minerals. It will quench your thirst while giving my body a boost.
Coconut water holds many health benefits, including re-hydration, a remedy for digestive system disorders, lowering cholesterol levels and protecting the heart. The water and flesh in coconut give us essential nutrients that can keep our stomachs full, may help with weight loss and give us energy. Coconut water contains energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, sugar and dietary fiber. Its mineral content includes calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc, to name a few. When you drink coconut water you get the bonus of vitamins B6, C, E and K as well as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and folate.
Drinking coconut water is a great way to rehydrate the body. It’s potassium and sodium content act as are electrolytes that help balance the water levels in our body. Having one or two glasses of coconut water after a long day in the sun can replace lost minerals, vitamins and energy. It is also the recommended choice for people experiencing diarrhea as it helps rehydrate the body and replace lost electrolytes.
Coconut water helps lower cholesterol levels, resulting in healthier heart and reduced chance of strokes and heart attacks. It’s also very helpful in fighting infections and has diuretic properties, which is very helpful for urinary disorders. Due to the diuretic effect, water and toxins are easily expelled from the body, helping to keep our bodily systems healthy.