The toxins inside of us are expelled through the waste we secrete. Waste can only be shot out of our bodies if we have enough fluid to transport it to the toilet. However, reduced water levels will allow the toxins to set up base in our organs for much longer so shooing away viruses and bacteria becomes increasingly more difficult.

Dark Urine:

The shade of our urine can be an indicator of a number of different health conditions, from urinary tract infections to liver problems. But the colour most associated with urine – dark yellow – is actually a sign that you’re not maintaining healthy hydration levels. Dark yellow pee is more concentrated since our bodies cannot afford to expel water to dilute the chemical compounds and toxins, giving it a darker, unhealthier hue. Clear to bright yellow urine means you’re drinking enough.

Sporadic Headaches:

Although the link between dehydration and headaches is currently unknown, scientists believe that when our body’s water level drops to dangerously low levels, our blood volume will soon follow suit which restricts the amount of blood flowing to our noggins. This, in turn, causes our blood vessels to expand which can lead to headaches, lightheadedness, and even vertigo.

Charley Horses:

When was the last time you were jolted awake in the middle of the night from a sudden muscle spasm wreaking havoc on your calf? Well, if you want to prevent this horrific pain ever again, you need to consume more water. Charley hoses are increasingly more common in athletes who overuse a single muscle, but it can even occur in people who lack physical activity as well as hydration.

Digestive Problems:

Even though you may not want to hear it, the insides of our bodies require mucus as a natural lubricant to keep things moving smoothly. This is especially true for our digestive systems which are lined with mucus. Not having enough water will thin it down, possibly leading to major internal damage as our stomach acid slowly penetrates the thin lining.

Lack of Sweat during Heat or Physical Activity:

Sweating, though smelly and socially unacceptable, is a necessary bodily function to keep us from overheating. Obviously, we sweat when it’s hot or after running a marathon, but what if you don’t have enough water in your system to spend on cooling down? Without water, we don’t sweat, and when we don’t sweat, we can pass out due to heat exhaustion. Drink more water!

Joint Pain

The cartilage between our joints and spinal discs are made up of 80% water. They need a constant stream of water to stay properly lubricated. Without water, the cartilage can deteriorate or lose its elasticity, leaving us with aching, cracking joints. Drinking more water can help our joints absorb shock much more effectively.

Decreased Muscle Mass:

To gain muscle mass, you need to consume more water. Our muscles, like almost everything else in our bodies, are almost entirely comprised of water, and thus need to be thoroughly hydrated to expand and contract. For those of you who lift, drinking water before, during, and after working out will help bring water to all the right parts of your body while effectively reducing the risk of inflammation.

Weight Gain:

Perhaps the most surprising thing about water consumption is that you can actually gain weight and not from increased muscle mass (see point 10). Drinking a 500-millilitre glass of water can boost our metabolism by upwards of 30%. This is the main reason why dietitians recommend consuming more water while simultaneously cutting empty calories from your diet.

Mood Swings:

Got the blues? Try drinking a glass of water. Scientist found that even the slightest hint of dehydration – less than 1% below optimal hydration levels – can cause neurological changes that alter the way we think and behave. So the next time you feel like dumping all of your problems on an innocent bystander, don’t grab a candy bar; drink water instead.

The Correspondent Bureau

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