Hydration
Health benefits
Hydration is a vital but often neglected area of health and wellbeing. Our bodies are 70% water, and fluid affects every part of us, right down to a cellular level - our need for water is second only to our need for oxygen.
There are real health benefits to keeping ourselves adequately hydrated, including maintenance of normal physical and cognitive functions such as helping to maintain concentration, and energy levels. Adequate hydration also helps the maintenance of normal thermoregulation and general wellbeing.
- The brain is 75% water. When not properly hydrated, we can suffer from headaches, poor concentration and reduced memory.
- Blood is 95% water. If dehydrated our blood pressure may rise.
- Skin is 70% water and may feel dry when we are not drinking enough.
Other benefits of staying adequately hydrated include:
- The National Kidney Research Foundation recommends that 6-8 glasses a day can reduce the risk of urinary tract infections such as cystitis, kidney stones or bladder cancer.
- Colorectal cancer and colonic polyp formation may be reduced by increasing fluid intake (from as little as 1.2 litres per day).
- A similar intake may reduce the incidence of heart attacks and coronary artery disease.
- Dehydration is considered to be a risk factor in the development of DVT (deep vein thrombosis).
- Marginal dehydration can lead to constipation.
- Saliva has been shown to protect against tooth decay in a number of ways. As one of the symptoms of dehydration is a dry mouth i.e. lack of saliva, maintaining a good level of hydration may also help to maintain good dental health.
