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It’s no secret that the British love to drink. But no water. In fact, less than one in 10 of us drink enough, according to a new study.
A survey of 2,000 consumers by beverage brand Aqua Pura found that only 6% of the UK drink the recommended amount of water per day. On average, we only swallow 850 ml, which is less than half of the recommended daily intake.
Many of us don’t even realize how much we need to drink – less than one in 10 know the recommendation is 2 liters (about six to eight glasses) per day. The survey also found that men are less likely to stay hydrated, with more than a third (34.3%) saying they don’t drink plain water at all, compared to 25% of women.
Almost a third (32%) drink more water during the week, while only 13% drink more on weekends. Most (80%) said they prefer tap water to bottled water, and on average, those who choose tap water drink it more often (every 2 hours 20 minutes) than those who drink it bottled (every 2 hours 42 minutes).
So what effect does all of this have on our bodies and brains?
What happens if you don’t hydrate enough?
More than half of your body weight comes from water. So if your levels are low it can show up in different ways. Mild dehydration can tire you, give you headaches, and affect your mood and focus. And when you go hard to the gym, all that sweating actually cuts down on the amount of blood you have for a bit.
If you don’t drink enough, you might get thirsty and you might have a dry or sticky mouth. You might not pee very often – less than four times a day. When you go there may not be a lot of pee and it may be dark or have a strong odor. You may feel dizzy or dizzy, and you may pass out.
As the situation worsens, your thirst increases. Your breathing and heart rate may be faster than normal. You may overheat and feel confused or cranky.
Dehydration can also leave you with less energy and brain fog. One study, published in the journal Nutrients, found that adequate hydration improves brain health and prevents drowsiness and memory decline.
Duncan Reid, medical expert at Pharmacy2U pharmacist, says: “Not drinking enough water causes a dry mouth, problems concentrating and fatigue, among other problems. It is recommended that you drink six or eight 200 ml glasses of water per day.
“However, there are times when we will need to drink more water. For example, in hot weather or after exercise, when we lose fluid through sweating, or when we don’t feel well and may lose fluid through illness or diarrhea.
But does it have to be water?
Reid adds, “Water is a great choice because it is calorie-free and therefore has no effect on weight or sugar which can damage teeth. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, then drinking soda water or adding a slice of fruit or squash with no added sugar can help make it more palatable. Fruit teas (sugar free) can also be another healthy way to increase water intake.
“Tea, coffee, milk and soft drinks all matter, but they can contain fat, sugar and caffeine. Therefore, checking the information label is a good way to make healthy choices. Fruit smoothies can also provide hydration as well as vitamins and minerals, but consumption should be limited to 150ml per day because when the fruits are mixed, they release their sugar, which can damage the teeth.
Easy ways to drink more water in your day
There are ways to remind yourself to hydrate. You can try drinking water when you first wake up, or get yourself a nice water bottle that you like to carry around or even decorated with motivational messages reminding you to drink.
You can set an alarm until you get used to doing it intuitively. And if you’re worried about too many trips to the bathroom, there are some tips to control it.
Try sipping from a glass for a while, for example, instead of drinking large amounts all at once, which can leave you bloated and wanting to go.
And when you’re done reading this, don’t forget to grab some water.
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