Are you drinking enough?

With the weather expected to hit the 30’s this week, it’s very important that you make sure you are drinking plenty of water!

Water makes up between 50% and 70% of our body weight and every cell, tissue and organ depends on it. Some of its uses are to get rid of waste products, regulate your temperature and blood pressure, lubricates your joints and protects sensitive tissue

Dehydration presents itself in many ways so if you are suffering increased headaches, dry mouth and lips, feeling tired, dark coloured urine and feeling excessively thirsty, you may be dehydrated.  Dehydration occurs much earlier in the elderly, diabetic, over exercisers, being in the sun too long, if you have sickness and diarrhoea and if you’ve consumed a lot of alcohol.  So, note to self – check on your friends and family and be aware of what it looks like!

How much water/fluid should you drink? Well, research has produced varying recommendations over the years but we know that one single formula does not fit all. The U.S. Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine determined that a male should drink 3.7L a day whilst a female should drink 2.7L a day – thats on a normal day!  When things heat up, you may need more!  Another source of hydration comes from eating fresh fruit, so if you are not overly keen on water, try adding more fruits, or maybe some lemon and cucumber to your water to make it taste better?

So drink up and stay safe!