In the past few years studies have shown that many of us don't drink enough water for good health. However, there is a different story emerging, especially amongst people who exercise. According to researchers almost as many exercisers are putting their health at risk by over-consuming water as drinking too little.
Drinking water at every opportunity can cause serious problems, such as hyponatraemia or water intoxication. As the water content of the blood increases, the salt content is diluted. Consequently the amount of salt available to body tissues decreases, which can lead to problems with brain, heart and muscle function.
Initial symptoms of over-hydration include dizziness, nausea, apathy and confusion. The British Dietetic Association guidelines state that an average adult should consume 2.5 litres of water per day. This intake needs to be increased during periods of hot weather or during and after periods of physical activity.
You can get your daily water requirements from sources other than pure water - your cup of tea. Water is the main ingredient of all drinks - carbonated drinks, fruit juices and fruit and vegetables all have high water content. We also get approximately half a litre from food eaten each day.
Also, some studies have indicated that drinking plenty of water is beneficial to the immune system; good for the skin; alleviates constipation and can reduce the risk of kidney stones.
Lack of water can make you feel tired and lethargic, and will decrease your capacity for exercise. For each hour of exercise you should drink an extra litres of fluid. If you have an illness that is causing diarrhoea or sweating, you will need to up your fluid intake to make up for the extra loss.
Comments
Comments are closed.