It is recommended to drink two liters of water a day. However, in the vortex of everyday duties, you can forget about regularly reaching for a glass or a bottle. It may happen that our body is not properly hydrated. It is very easy to check. Just follow this simple test.
- We should drink six to eight glasses of water a day
- Too little water can lead to fatigue, pain and dizziness
- The firmness and elasticity of the skin is one of the indicators of body hydration
- You can find more such stories on the Onet homepage
Scientists say that we should consume an average of 1,5-2 liters of fluid a day. That’s about six or eight glasses. It is difficult to be systematic, because we only drink drinks when we are really thirsty. However, drinking water is extremely important. It ensures the proper functioning of the body and has beneficial properties for the skin.
Symptoms of drinking insufficient water
Too little water can lead to fatigue, pain and dizziness. Of course, this is not yet a dehydration state that is much more serious. The symptoms of dehydration are:
- general feeling of tiredness
- dry mouth
- increased thirst
- decreased urination,
- reduced tear secretion,
- dry skin,
- constipation
- dizziness,
- headache.
How can you tell if you are drinking enough water?
There is a simple test that is performed on the surface of the skin (skin turgor test). It is described on the website of the National Library of Medicine. How to make it?
- Pinch the skin on the back of your hand using your thumb and index finger.
- Hold for a few seconds and then release.
If the skin returns to its normal shape immediately after being pinched, rest assured that your body is properly hydrated. If the deformation persists for a while, you should reach for a glass of water quickly.
- Seven unusual signs of dehydration. Do not underestimate!
According to the National Library of Medicine, the indicator of body hydration can be the so-called skin turgor, i.e. its firmness and elasticity, which are responsible for the ability to change the shape of the skin and immediately return to its normal state. A water shortage at the cellular level is precisely a sign of an abnormal turgor. This leads to the fact that the skin needs time to regain its natural shape.
A look at… urine is also helpful in assessing the body’s hydration status. If it is clear, light and odorless – the amount of water in the body is adequate. Strongly smelling dark urine is a signal that you need to replace your fluids.
See also:
- Dehydration – causes, symptoms, diagnosis. Who is at risk of dehydration?
- What to do if someone next to you faints due to the heat? «Don’t give liquids»
- The best drink for hot weather. Only four ingredients