Staying Hydrated this summer

Staying Hydrated

More than 60% of the human body is water,

Our bodies lose water through natural processes such as breathing; sweating and eliminating liquid and solid waste therefore we must ensure we replace fluids in order for our bodies to operate efficiently.

Below are just some functions water assists the body with,

• Regulating the body temperature
• Cushion and lubricate the joints
• Prevent illness and infection
• Deliver important nutrients to the body's cells
• Help organs work properly
• Maintain proper metabolism
• Remove waste from the body
• Regulate heart rate and blood pressure
• Form saliva, which is necessarily for digestion

 So how much water is enough water?

It is a common belief is that everyone needs to drink eight glasses of water each day, in actuality it is a little more complicated when it comes to the amount of water a person should be consuming.

Different people require different amounts of water, it all depends on their body composition, level of activity, and other factors which may contribute to the amount of fluid a persons body loses daily, for example, an athlete will need more water to stay hydrated than a sedentary person. Drinking alcohol can also change the amount of water a person requires..

As a general rule, an adult needs, 2 to 3 litres of water, through foods or liquids, each day to stay hydrated.

Dehydration, what is it?

If we do not stay hydrated we can then become, dehydrated.

When dehydrated the body will not have enough fluid to operate properly, signs of dehydration include:

• Dry mouth
• Extreme thirst
• Headache
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Dark, little or no urine
• Sleepiness or fatigue

Some of the people that are at a higher risk of dehydration are those who exercise at a high intensity or in hot weather for too long so it is advisable to always have water bottle to hand especially during the summer months.

Older adults are also at a higher risk, as we age changes related to age can include a reduction in the sensation of thirst, meaning the body has not recognised the need to drink which can lead to dehydration.

Even mild dehydration can adversely affect our mental and physical performance, including memory, attention, concentration and reaction time. Severe cases of dehydration is a potentially life-threatening medical emergency.

Stay hydrated this summer