Most people think that dehydration is something that happens to travelers in the desert who run out of water. Although that sort of thing happens once in awhile, chronic dehydration affects as much as 75% of Americans. Not thirsty? That may not matter. Chronic dehydration actually blunts the body’s natural sense of thirst over time.
Symptoms of chronic dehydration include: low energy, dry skin or lips, constipation, digestive disorders (acid reflux, gastritis, ulcers), excess body weight & obesity, high or low blood pressure, high cholesterol, rheumatism, bladder infections, kidney stones or other kidney diseases, eczema, and even respiratory problems. Surprised? Don’t be. Since 2/3 of our bodies are made up of water, it is essential for just about every aspect of your health.
Everyone’s needs are different, but the general rule of thumb is that we should be drinking approximately ½ of our body weight in ounces, for example: if you weigh 150 lbs, you should be drinking 75 ounces of water each day. This may sound like a lot, but by breaking it down into three 24-ounce bottles, it becomes a lot more manageable. Cold, hot, or room temperature? Room temp is best, but the main idea is to get it in, any way you like.
So start today in making a commitment to drink 2-3 bottles of water per day. If you’re concerned about all the additional trips to the “water closet” you’ll be making, don’t worry: after a 2-3 day period of adjustment, those bathroom breaks will be a lot less frequent.