Hydration: Is Water Enough?

Hopefully most of us know how important it is to drink water and enough water everyday. But is water alone enough to keep us hydrated? Now that it is finally starting to get a bit warmer, it is time to start increasing the amount of water we have been drinking.

There is no more important nutrient for the body than water. The body is 60% water, the blood is 83% water and the brain is about 75% water.

Some of the functions of water include:
Transportation of nutrients and waste.
Protection of the joints and maintenance of mucous barriers.
Chemical reactions such as pH regulation and digestive processes.
Electrolyte balance such as sodium and potassium.
Temperature regulation.
Cell respiration/energy production.

Thirst
Our brains signal thirst when the fluid levels of the body become too low or the salt levels become too high. The urge to drink is naturally frequent and if ignored becomes increasingly urgent. Nevertheless, many people will declare that they do not drink much water and are rarely thirsty. Why? Our bodies will adapt to a state of dehydration and the desire to drink will go away. This can and should be reversed.

The Hypothalamus and Thirst
The hypothalamus is our thirst center and its function decreases as we age. Our need for water does not decrease as we age.

The Adrenals, Stress, and Hydration
The adrenals as well as the thyroid have an important role in creating the energy that is essential in maintaining fluid balance. The adrenals also secrete key hormones, including aldosterone which regulates water levels in the body as well as the concentration of minerals that assist with hydration, mainly sodium and potassium.

The adrenals are also responsible for regulating the stress response. Stress is so common today that it has become chronic for many people, creating a state of adrenal fatigue. When the body is stressed, we need more aldosterone and sodium to circulate in the system. Once the stress subsides, aldosterone levels fall and sodium must leave the bloodstream. The sodium passes through the kidneys and exits the body in urination, removing water with it. This may occur even if the water is still needed in the body. Experiencing high stress levels on a regular basis, can weaken the adrenals and consequently dehydrate the body. Replacing water alone may not provide the hydration that is needed. You may need to replace the electrolytes lost with the water.

Thanks to Energetix for this information.

Drinking water is easy and we live in a place where clean water is readily available. If you are looking for a good water filter to filter out the chemicals to make our water safe, Beeing Well has a solution for that. If you are looking for a good electrolyte replacement, we can help with that also. Keeping your stress under control is so important, at Beeing Well, we offer several options for that.

Most important, drink your water, deep breathe when you are feeling out of control and see what you can do to help yourself stay hydrated!

Have a marvelous week!