We’ve all heard about the importance of drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day but is it really necessary? What happens to our body if we don’t hydrate it properly? Here are 10 things that could happen if you don’t drink enough water.

Weight Gain

It may seem counterintuitive but when you stop drinking enough water you can actually cause water retention and temporary weight gain. That’s because the body is trying to hold every drop of water in order to protect itself from severe dehydration. Ironically, skimping on your H2O is the result of water retention. That goes for alcohol, too. Since it's a dehydrator, alcohol makes your body hoard water even more, causing unwanted bloat the next morning.

Fatigue

Most people feel a little energy drop in the afternoon or after a big meal. Too often we go for a sugary drink or a caffeinated one to pick us up but that drop in energy may also be an indication that your body is dehydrated. Reach for a glass of clean filtered water instead and you will get an energy boost without any added calories or coffee jitters.

Lack of Concentration

Along with that mid-afternoon energy drop our brainpower can also experience slumps. And that’s because your brain, like the rest of your body, is also 80% water. Even slight dehydration can impair your brain function and make you less than brilliant. But add water, and mental flexibility automatically improves by 14 percent, according to one UK study.

Your Risk of Stroke Increases

Dehydration not only causes you to take longer to recover from a stroke, but it can actually make it worse, according to a recent study.

You Feel Hungrier

Along with that mid afternoon slump your stomach is growling and telling you to reach for that chocolate bar. Try drinking a glass of water instead and waiting 20 minutes to see if you are still hungry. It’s very common to confuse dehydration with hunger.

Your Metabolism Slows Down

Not drinking enough water can seriously derail your weight loss plans, proven by a study from The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. After drinking approximately 17 ounces of water (about two tall glasses), participants’ metabolic rates increased by 30 percent. The researchers estimate that increasing water intake by 1.5 liters a day (about six cups) would burn an extra 17,400 calories over the course of the year—a weight loss of approximately five pounds!

You Get a Headache

Before you reach for that bottle of Tylenol, reach for a glass of water. The previous study also found that dehydration can also trigger headaches.

Your Workout Suffers

Your body cannot efficiently convert carbs into energy without ample water. And according to the Journal Physiology of Sport and Exercise, you can’t deliver essential amino acids to muscle tissue without adequate water. Not only will your workout sessions suffer but insufficient liquids in your body will also hold back the breakdown of fat.

It’s Hard on Your Organs

When you’re dehydrated, your heart has to work harder to maintain blood flow when you stand up. If you’re sufficiently dehydrated and your heart is not up to this task, the insufficient blood flow to your brain can result in fainting. Also, in order for your kidneys to work properly, you need water to dilute the blood. Without enough water, your kidneys have to work overtime to filter out the blood and severe dehydration can also lead to kidney failure or worse – kidney stones!

Just for Guys

Not enough water may keep a man soft. In a dehydrated state, you produce a greater amount of angiotensin, a type of hormone that is commonly found in men experiencing having difficulty achieving stable erections. Feeling thirsty yet? If you’re not sure that you’re drinking enough water check your pee. When you don’t drink enough water, your urine color will turn into a darker yellow. If you’re severely dehydrated, you might not even pee at all. Having difficulty drinking enough water? It’s very likely that the water from your tap is not very appealing. Clean filtered water is delicious and will encourage you to drink more water daily. Check out our range of water filters and ionizers that also infuse H2 into your drinking water for added health benefits. www.waterionizer.org or call us and speak to one of our water experts to find out how you can benefit. 1-877-770-5247      
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