Water is, in fact, the most important liquid which is the primary transporter of nutrients in the
body. About 70% of human body is water. Health experts say that we could
survive without food up to 5 weeks but not more than 5 days without water.
Lack of water in the body immediately affects the blood volume and
thereby burdens the heart and kidney with over-work.
A 2012 study by a team of health scientists led by Lawrence E. Armstrong,
Professor of Physiology at the University of Connecticut (U.S) brought out some
chilling facts before the world. The research finds that even mild dehydration
can alter a person’s mood, energy level and ability to think clearly. The
ill-effects of dehydration are equal both in high-energy consumed treadmill
walker and a person sitting at rest.
Health experts define mild dehydration as less than 1.5% of water volume in the
body. The tests further reveal that our thirst sensation does not really
surface until we are 1 or 2% dehydrated. By that time dehydration
already sets in and shows its impact on our mind and body’, says Prof Armstrong.
When it comes to the cognitive tasks that affect due to dehydration, scientists
find that it affects the areas of vigilance and working memory. Some
subjects also experienced fatigue, tension and anxiety when mildly dehydrated.
The impact was found more on females than males.
When dehydration occurs, the neurons in the brain detect it which signals to
other parts of the brain regulating mood. So the solution lies in hydrating the
body on regular basis.
The daily dose of water that our system needs is 8 glasses or 2 liters. The
barometer for our hydration level in the body is to check the colour of urine.
Healthy urine colour is ‘very pale yellow’. If the urine colour is dark yellow
or tan in colour, it indicates a greater dehydration. The study cautions proper
hydration for high-risk groups such as elderly people with diabetes and
children.
Considering the profundity of the issue, one should not water down this caution
!
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