By: Natasha Archary
Summer is here and, and with the current heatwave it’s important to pay attention to the signs of dehydration.
Thomas and Skhumba asked listeners to share how much water they drink a day, and whether they have creative ways to ensure that they stay hydrated.
When you are clearly not fully hydrated your body reacts; you will see this when you have a dry mouth, decreased urine output, when you are thirsty, constipated and dizzy.
Pay attention to the following this season, the real main effects of dehydration:
- Dry skin
- Loss of concentration
- Cramps
- Loss of coordination/blackouts
- Possibility of strokes
- Muscle fatigue
- Exhaustion
How much water should you be drinking daily?
According to Harvard Health, the average water intake for men is about 15 and a half cups and for women about 11 and a half cups.
This doesn’t mean that you have to drink only water however, as all liquids you consume daily accounts for your water intake too.
That might mean you can have about 4 to 6 glasses of water, and consume teas, coffee and juices as your other sources of hydration.
To stay hydrated this summer you should:
- Limit caffeinated drinks
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol as this is how your body looses liquids due to excessive urine passage
- Drink soups, teas, and more liquids than solids. Also consider fruits and vegetables which happen to be a natural source of water
- Minimise salty foods such as pretzels, pasta sauce, instant noodles as salty foods can make you thirstier and also cause bloating
- At night, make sure your clothes don’t make you sweat unnecessarily by wearing comfortable clothes that limit sweating
- Add fruits and herbs to make your water pleasurable to drink
- Keep drinking water when exercising
Listen to the conversation on Kaya Drive:
Also read: “My stepchildren are trying to lawula me” – The Blindspot
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