Healthy

Study: Drinking Insufficient Water Could Have Serious Health Consequences

Are you drinking enough water? It’s okay to drink caffeine, but hydration is crucial. Recent research suggests that drinking too little water increases your chance of dying at a younger age or developing certain chronic illnesses.

Water is essential to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Human bodies contain 50 to 80% water. Water plays a crucial role in all the body’s chemical processes. Water assists with digestion, absorb nutrients, helps us move, gets rid of waste products, and regulates our body temperature.

Image Credit: Pexels/The Lazy Artist Gallery

When the body is dehydrated, it cannot function properly. A lack of water can lead to kidney stones, heart valve problems, and cancer for those who don’t drink enough water daily. In addition to affecting physical performance, dehydration can also affect the mind.

Why Is Bottled Water Better Than Tap Water?

In most areas, drinking tap water is safe unless there has been a flooding incident or a discovery of bacteria in the supply. Fluoride is also essential for healthy teeth in tap water.

People believe bottled water is healthier because it contains minerals. It has been shown that bottled water may contain less magnesium, potassium, and calcium. It can also include potentially harmful materials, such as chlorine, nitrogen, and chemicals released from plastic, such as bisphenol A. In addition to being bad for the environment, bottled water has fewer quality controls than tap water.

Image Credit: Pexels/Ivan Samkov

How Does Drinking Too Little Water Affect You?

Getting enough water is very important. It can cause dizziness and collapse. In case of dehydration, drink some water immediately and seek medical advice if necessary.

It’s easier for older people to dehydrate since they feel less thirsty, and their kidneys may not function as well. It is harder to stay hydrated when you have memory problems, take diuretics and laxatives, or cannot move around.

Symptoms of dehydration:

  • dark urine
  • light-headedness
  • tiredness
  • irritability
  • feeling thirsty
  • loss of appetite
  • fainting