Water Connection

Citadel columnist and nutritionist AVANTI DESHPANDE speaks of the importance of drinking adequate water during our scorching summers.

- Avanti Deshpande

The summer is back. The sweaters will be packed and out hats, goggles will come out. You have to take care of your body in summers, both externally and internally. And one of this includes drinking plenty of water. The heat in summer is intense and there is no drink as hydrating as water.

IMPORTANCE OF WATER

Our whole body is dependent on water for its functioning. Almost 60- 70 per cent of the body is made with water. Each cell and organ of our body requires water to function properly. We lose water from our body through activities like sweating, performing physical activities, urinating, even while we are breathing. Therefore, drinking water throughout the day is very important.

Dehydration in the body can happen anytime, but during summers, the risk is even more, since there is a lot of sweating. Also, the body needs more water to balance the body temperature. High humidity hampers sweat evaporation, which hinders the ability of the body to cool itself.

SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION

To check your hydration status, you can check the colour of your urine. If it’s colourless, your body is well hydrated. The darker the urine, the more dehydrated you are. Other signs include:

Very dry skin

Feeling dizzy

Rapid heartbeat

Rapid breathing

Sunken eyes

Sleepiness, lack of energy, confusion or irritability

Fainting

HOW DOES WATER HELP?

Since two-thirds of the body is made up with water, water helps to keep those parts healthy and hydrated. Water helps to maintain the elasticity of the skin and prevent the premature formation of wrinkles. It also helps to maintain the body temperature, especially after exercising in the heat.