Why hydration is important [ hydration health ]

Why is hydration very essential? 

One of the essential things to all living things is water - The need for it is just beyond survival and it occupies about 60% of our body. The body cells require water to perform tasks and not forget to keep the balance between water and electrolytes, to avoid nutrients not flushed away from the system.

Hydration is key when training or racing in hot conditions. Athletes, especially the runners should avoid caffeine which contributes dehydration of the body thus leading to poor performance. Fruits and vegetables are made mostly of water and are a great way to add fluids to help meet your hydration needs.  Plus, they have lots of vitamins and minerals!

5    Signs of dehydration

1.  Feeling thirsty  - This is a good way that the body is telling you should hydrate.  How you should keep hydrated.

•    Pre-hydrate.  Make sure you are properly hydrated before beginning your activity.
•  Hydrate.  Replenish fluids as you exercise to keep yourself at a healthy hydration level.
• Re-hydrate. Replace the fluids lost during your activity. Sports drinks are appropriate to replace lost salts and electrolytes.

        

Note: Do not wait until you are thirsty to get a drink.

2.  Mouth drying  -  This is when the salivary glands don’t produce saliva, it's required sipping of water constantly and limit the intake of caffeine to reduce the drying of the mouth.

3. Low level of energy  -  If you are feeling weak, sleepy and fatigue then dehydration is the reason for it. The sleepy part is when the blood pressure drops hence slows the blood flow to the brain.

4.   Gastrointestinal problems  -  It leads to chronic constipation which really can cause a problem when having your stool and this happens when one doesn’t drink enough water during the day. If the problem persists then I highly recommend seeing a doctor quickly.

 5. Urine problem  -  When you are having less pee then you should keep in mind that your intake of water is low during the day since the recommended glasses in a day is 8 times. You should be keen on the color of the urine since pale yellow is the color to target and avoid taking excess water so as not to lose the nutrients required to be washed away.

9 Ways of how water is key to the body

1. It helps in the regulation of temperature.
2. Acts as a shock absorber for the brain and spinal cord.
3. Keeping the mucosal membranes moist.
4. It delivers oxygen all over the body.
5. Needed by the brain to manufacture hormones and neurotransmitters.
6. Converts food to components needed by the body - Digestion.
7. Flushes body waste.
8. It allows the growth of the body cells, reproduce, and survive.
9. Forms saliva and also lubricates joints.
   
   
   

hydration is a great key to unlocking so much potential, stay healthy and hydrated.