The human body is made up of 90% water, so it is not hard to understand why people need to be kept hydrated. People can survive a month without food but would not last days without water. Therefore, if you prefer soda to water, it is about time to make healthier choices.
Nowadays, there are so many options to choose from when you are parched, and not every one of them is bad. There are energy drinks and ionized water to help someone gain the body fuel and hydrate at the same time. However, you should not be taking much of these if you are not an athlete or not physically active. It is always much better to drink your regular water.
However, drinking eight to ten glasses of water is not enough if you have a questionable lifestyle. In some cases, people do not realize that what they are doing is already an unhealthy practice that can harm their health. In this article, we will talk about three common bad habits that affect your hydration and health:
Eating Too Much Processed and Instant Food
Are you a fan of instant ramen noodles, instant coffee, canned sausages, and other food items with high magnesium content? If so, have you ever noticed how these kinds of food leave a dry sensation in your mouth? Try eating your favorite potato chips before bed, and you will wake up thirsty with your mouth feeling like sandpaper the following day. Do not let this happen. Make sure you have a source of potable water with you, or if not, have a water softener system installed to make sure you have fresh, filtered drinking water at home.
Fresh goods are not meant to be preserved, but the economy demanded manufacturers do so over the centuries. Any food loses its nutrients, and more so when it is processed in the factory with added preservatives. Now, all ready-to-cook food has no value to the body except to make you feel full because they do not have minerals and have low to zero water content.
Have you ever wondered why fresh food and meals are more expensive than the rest even though they were not processed? It is because no matter how convenient processed food is, natural and organic ones will always be better for human health.
Holding Your Pee
Now, this is something everyone can relate to, especially working professionals. Understandably, there will always be moments when you have to hold your pee because you are in the middle of something important. You may be in an important business meeting, stuck in traffic, or choose to be safe rather than pee in public restrooms. However, what is not acceptable is the fact that some people hold their pee and strain their bladders for petty excuses. Some people just do not feel like getting up from bed after they have found that sweet sleeping position. They rather sleep and wake up with a bursting bladder than spend two minutes in the toilet to get the toxins out of their bodies.
Holding your pee can and will cause severe complications in your bladder, and it can even produce gallstones. It hurts, not to mention the fact that you will have to undergo surgery if things get worse. Gallstones happen when you are not dehydrated enough and when you are holding your pee more than often. It is a kidney complication and that causes at least 10,000 American lives lost each year.
Working Out Excessively
Hydration is key to building muscle mass, so you should know how valuable water is if you are a physically active person. However, there is a catch. When you are working out more than average, chances are you will also be sweating more than a regular person. Thus, eight to ten glasses will, unfortunately, not be enough for you.
When you are a sports enthusiast, it is not just the workout sweat. There is the climate you are training under, the energy your brain needs to function (that also operates through blood minerals), and the need to recover quickly to maintain stamina and energy. On top of regular water intake, you will need special drinks to help you stay hydrated. We have mentioned energy drinks and ionized drinks earlier, and yes, this is the part where you will need them.
Remember, eight to ten glasses of water is for an average person doing regular house chores and errands, not for someone with a goal to be Nike’s brand ambassador.
Final Thoughts
Staying hydrated does not only mean drinking enough water every day. It is also about knowing what can cause you to be dehydrated and doing something about it.
Meta title: 3 Surprising Habits That Cause Dehydration
meta desc: Are you properly hydrated? Just because you are drinking enough water every day doesn’t mean you are not guilty of the following things. Read here now.
