You probably think you're drinking enough water, but if you spend all day with a cup of coffee in hand, you're probably more dehydrated than you think. The human body is about 70% water and we lose up to two and a half liters a day just doing normal activities.
How much water should we drink per day?
According to the Mayo Clinic, women should drink about 11.5 glasses or 2.7 liters of fluids per day, while men should drink about 15.5 glasses or 3.7 liters per day. If you are one of those who do not like water very much or know that you are not drinking the necessary amount every day, dermatologist Lela Ahlemann reveals some of the signs that show that you are not drinking enough water.
-Dry mouth and feeling of thirst
A very typical sign of dehydration is feeling thirsty. This, along with dry mouth, are often the first signs that you need water. Dry mouth can also lead to damage to the oral mucosa, which requires an immune defense of the body, thus making you more prone to infections.
-Urine with a dark color or the least amount
"When we drink too little water, our urine concentrates and changes color," Ahlemann explains. If your urine is darker in color than normal, this is a clear sign that you definitely need to drink more.
-Headache
This condition is caused by a decrease in blood volume due to dehydration, which means that our brain is not well supplied with blood and nutrients.
- Fatigue and problems with concentration
This condition also occurs due to the lack of fluids and is a literal indication that the reduction in blood volume and the lack of blood supply to the brain lead to fatigue and lack of concentration.
-Dry skin and lips
According to Ahlemann, the typical signs of dehydration are dry skin and lips. The skin may also appear paler because the supply of oxygen and micronutrients is not at optimal levels.
-Dark circles under the eyes
According to Ahlemann, "If you don't drink enough, the blood becomes thicker, which tends to make the vessels more visible. Dark circles under the eyes and increased wrinkles can be a sign that you're not drinking enough water.
- Constipation
A typical sign you're not drinking enough? Constipation. It's easy to understand why this happens: If you drink too little water, the intestines draw more water from the stool, which reduces their volume and leads to constipation.
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Source: Vogue
