Dehydration Facts

What you should know about dehydration

Know the facts.
a75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
aEven MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.
aOne glass of water shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.
aLack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.
aPreliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day (half of that coming from food and drinks other than plain water) could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
aA mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
aDrinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.



Water has multiple functions in your body. Water:
ltransports vitamins, minerals, amino acids, glucose, hormones, enzymes and other substances throughout your body
l assists chemical reactions such as the burning of glucose and the breakdown of fat for energy
lcarries digestive juices
llubricates joints, eyeballs, nasal passages, and the intestines
lis a shock absorber for your eyes and spinal cord
lmaintains your body temperature - cools it by evaporation from the skin and lungs, throws off heat when blood is circulated near the body's surface - helps retain warmth in winter
lremoves wastes through the kidneys and helps solid waste pass through the intestines

What is Dehydration

Pain may be a warning of localized thirst; that is, the pain signal may be a warning of dehydration in that specific area (a regional thirst), for example low back pain, migraine headache, joint pain, and angina. Chronic dehydration may contribute to a reduction in lymph flow, which in turn may contribute to or cause varied problems.

Remember that your water intake comes from the food that you eat, as well as the beverages you drink so your diet plays an important role in staying hydrated. Many water rich foods--such as fruits and vegetables--are also nutrient dense. If your diet is based on starches or processed foods and lacking in fruits and vegetables, you need to drink more water (and start eating healthier).

It is recommended by some that you not drink water with meals, unless you need to. Other doctors believe that the stomach needs a certain consistency to do its job and if we don't drink enough with our meals the stomach pulls water from the blood stream; if we drink too much with our meals the excess water simply gets absorbed. The logical recommendation, therefore, is to try both and see what works best for you.