Temperatures are soaring all across the globe, and it’s important to stay hydrated in this heatwave. Not to sound morbid, but recognizing the signs of dehydration could mean the difference between life and death!
Dehydration happens when our body loses more fluids than it gets, and it’s not something you want to mess with. But hey, don’t worry, there’s a simple solution!
Proper hydration is like magic for our overall health. It keeps our body temperature in check, helps with digestion, and makes sure all those essential nutrients and oxygen reach our cells.
Plus, hydration comes with some perks. You’ll rock better physical performance, clearer skin, sharper brain function and that perfect mood balance. And that’s not all – it can even save you from pesky problems like kidney stones, constipation and painful urinary tract infections. So, let’s toast to hydration and beat this heatwave like champs! Stay cool, stay hydrated!
First, let’s talk about some surprising and even strange signs of dehydration:
1. Fatigue and weakness
Dehydration can lead to low blood pressure and reduced blood flow to the brain, resulting in fatigue and difficulty focusing.
Swap out coffee, which can worsen dehydration, for ginger tea to boost your energy and mental focus.
2. Dry, flaky skin
Hydrated skin cells are plump and supple. If your skin feels dry, flaky or lacks luster, it could be a tell-tale sign to increase your water intake.
You can check for dehydration by pinching the skin on the back of your hand — if it remains “tented” for more than a few seconds after you let go, your skin cells are thirsty!
3. Dark yellow urine
When dehydrated, the body tries to conserve water, leading to darker urine due to higher concentrations of waste products.
Monitoring the color of your first morning urine can indicate your hydration level — pale yellow means you’re hydrated, while dark yellow is a signal that you need more water.
4. Headaches
Your brain relies heavily on water, so dehydration can cause brain tissue to temporarily shrink and pull away from the skull due to fluid loss. This can result in painful headaches and migraines as signals that you need to increase your fluid intake.
5. Bad breath
Saliva has natural antibacterial properties that help keep your breath fresh. Dehydration reduces saliva production, allowing bad bacteria to thrive in a dry mouth.
If you’ve been reaching for mints more often, you might just need to hydrate!
6. Digestive issues
Dehydration leads to reduced production of digestive juices, which can cause problems like acid reflux, gas and bloating.
Drinking more water, preferably at room temperature, can help improve digestion.
7. Constipation
When lacking water, your body might take water from your large intestine, leading to constipation as it compensates with food waste in your lower digestive tract.
8. Worsening of allergy, asthma and arthritis symptoms
Dehydration can trigger increased histamine production, making symptoms related to immune-related disorders such as allergies, asthma and arthritis much worse.
Increasing water consumption may help alleviate symptoms during difficult allergy seasons.
9. Unhealthy carb cravings
Dehydration during exercise depletes glycogen faster, leading to carb cravings. Drinking water with citrus or berries can enhance taste and help replenish glycogen stores and reduce cravings.
10. Muscle cramps
Dehydration can cause electrolyte imbalances, leading to muscle cramps. Inno Greens, an all-in-one gut health and hydration formula, contains electrolytes and plant-based ingredients high in water content, which can be just what you need for supporting hydration and muscle function.
The bottom line…
Proper hydration is vital for our overall health, and recognizing the signs of dehydration is crucial to avoid its adverse effects. And water isn’t the only solution — you can also add a hydrating supplement like Inno Greens (or check out this recipe with hydrating BCAAs) to your regime for essential electrolytes and plant-based components to support hydration and overall health.
Here’s to a happy, hydrated you!
