Ever since we were little, we were repeatedly told that we need to drink enough water to stay hydrated. So that we need to get enough fluids in is old news by now. But what does it actually hurt if you drink too little structurally?
Two liters?
The Nutrition Center recommends drinking 1.5 to 2 liters of water every day. But because bodies and needs are incredibly different, not everyone agrees. For example, Mayo Clinic, an American Academic Medical Center, recommends that women should drink 2.2 liters of water per day. In addition, this center recommends that men drink about 3 (!) liters of water a day. Mayo Clinic does not just call this out, however; the medical center has used a real calculation for these numbers.
Calculation
The experts explained that every body is different. Therefore, a smaller and lighter person should drink much less water than a larger and heavier person. Therefore, they divide the weight of a person by thirty, the answer tells you how many liters of water you should drink in a day. Do you weigh 70 kilograms? Then, according to the formula, you should drink 2.3 liters of water a day – that is, about 8 to 9 large glasses.
But what if you don’t stick to this structurally? It can cause a number of health problems.
Kidneys
Water keeps your blood vessels open, allowing nutrients to move easily through your body. When you drink too little, this process becomes more difficult, allowing waste products to remain and accumulate in the kidneys. This increases the risk of kidney stones. If you don’t drink enough for a long time, it can lead to permanent kidney damage and inflammation. Dark yellow urine is often a signal that you need to drink more.
Concentration
If you regularly have a “cotton wool feeling” or “fog” in your head, it may be due to a lack of fluid. This is because fluid is needed to transport substances that keep your nervous system working properly. A deficiency can lead to memory problems and impaired concentration. Mood swings can also be a sign that your body needs more water.
Vision
Your eyes can also feel dry and tired if you don’t drink enough water. Blurred vision or dry eyes often occur because waste products are not drained as well without adequate fluids. Your blood pressure can also drop, causing dizziness.