5 Major Side Effects Of Not Drinking Enough Water

Side-Effects-of-Not-Drinking-Enough-WaterWater is the essence of life without which we cannot think of even existing because our bodies essentially take up 75 % of water. It is a source that not only replenishes us but also acts as a fluid engine for our bodies to perform as they are supposed to.

Water circulates our bloodstream, getting rid of impurities and foreign contaminants so that the flow of blood is healthy. It also carries oxygen to numerous parts of the body so that the cells are able to repair themselves on time in a proper way.

It aids in digestion, keeping the metabolism in check, and helps break down food particles, maintaining the stomach line so it does not get too acidic or too alkaline. As the digestive tract functions properly, you will notice a loss of weight and better skin and hair.

Drinking water benefits the overall body temperature, keeping it moderate in all seasons, especially in summers where there is excessive loss of water in the form of sweat. If you don’t drink water in the summers, it will cause you to be dizzy and lose all your energy.

Not many people are aware of the benefits that water has on the bones. Drinking enough water helps act as a supportive cushion for all the joints in the body, making them less prone to damage and breakage.

Here is a video on how much water you should be drinking for your skin & hair:

Side Effects of Not Drinking Enough Water 

Here are the five main side effects of not drinking enough water;

Water Weight

Water Weight

A lot of people complain that they gain water weight or feel bloated after they drink water in large quantities. It could be because of a lack of attention or care given to the timing the water is consumed or it could be that you drink a lot of water at once in the entire day.

Most probably, it occurs due to a process called water retention, because you don’t drink enough water or are not able to get water when you are thirsty, your body automatically starts producing a hormone that causes you to retain water and conserve it, causing you to look swollen and bloated. It is most often temporary but if you persist in dehydrating yourself, the problem can be prolonged.

Dehydration

Dehydration

The most common body shock is dehydration where you can feel like your entire body is drained and you feel dryness within your body as well as the outer layer of the skin that becomes excessively porous.

The most common symptoms you will notice are effects on your brain health, kidney functions slowing down and you start having breathing problems. Your body is not able to regulate its temperature on its own and therefore you need water to maintain blood and oxygen circulation to the entire body.

Loss of focus

Loss of focus

Though loss of focus can have other factors contributing to it, not drinking water is the main one of them all. If you constantly feel dizzy, nauseous, dried out, cannot concentrate on anything, or have frequent memory problems, chances are you are not drinking adequate amounts of water to keep you well hydrated.

If your body is dehydrated, it tends to perform slowly and takes time to adjust to the environment. You will constantly feel like your head is spinning, the reason being the lack of flow of oxygen that is only possible if you are drinking water because water is responsible for providing oxygen to the entire cells in your body.

Poor Metabolism

Poor Metabolism

If you feel like your stomach is growling in strange places and more often than you are used to and even after you just ate, then you are having a poor metabolism. In addition, if you don’t drink at least one and a half litres of water every day, you will notice having problems with your digestive system as it will slow down.

This will result in you gaining weight because drinking enough water actually helps you lose around 17000 calories per day but the lack of water and hydration reduces the ability of your body to lose weight.

You will also notice that your digestive system is performing poorly. The colon needs 5 litres of water to function properly, any less amount will cause the colon to absorb more water, resulting in constipation.

Frequent Headaches

When your body fails to receive the desired amount of water, it directly affects your brain and nerve cells. This means that the tissues of your body and specifically the brain contract and grow smaller in size and this causes a strain on your nervous system, giving you a headache.

When the body loses fluid, the shrinking of tissues is bound to happen if there is no water to balance out the dryness in the body caused by the lack of water and this can also lead to chronic headaches or more severe conditions such as persisting migraines. 

FAQS

How does lack of water affect the body, especially in heat?

When your body is unable to regulate its temperature and blood as well as oxygen circulation, it slows down. As a result, the body becomes sensitive to environmental dangers, for instance, heat strokes are most common in the summers and most people get them because of dehydration as the blood pressure is unable to be maintained.

How do I maintain a healthy relationship with water?

Some people complain that they don’t like the taste of plain water, which is common and understandable. You can add a few drops of lemon or honey to your water according to your preference. You need to track down your water needs and make sure you drink enough water throughout the day also keeping in mind the timing.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, water is essential for the functioning of your entire mind and body and to balance a healthy life. If not taken in the right amounts, lack of drinking water results in poor performance, slowing down of mental and cognitive abilities, bad skin and hair, and poor metabolism.