Good water balance is one of the most essential pillars of health. Some studies show that dehydration can be just as harmful to the body as smoking. That’s why it’s necessary to always be on the lookout for signs from your body indicating whether you’re drinking enough water.
With the heat waves coming our way with the onset of summer, you should pay extra attention to your health. Watch for signs of whether your skin is dehydrated, and avoid things that can worsen dehydration. This includes not drinking certain beverages.
As the Express reports, certain drinks can dehydrate the body and should be avoided, especially during a heat wave.
Beware of dehydrating foods and drinks.
Express reported the importance of staying hydrated, especially in possible heat waves in different parts of the world. The article featured advice from nutritionist Toby King, who pointed out that while you should drink plenty to stay hydrated, not all drinks are equal.
You might think consuming fluids this summer would help combat dehydration, but that’s not true. Some foods and liquids cause more water to leave the body than is taken in.
Yes, some foods and drinks can worsen the body’s water content, making you more dehydrated.
Here are the drinks you should avoid to protect your body from dehydration.
Alcohol
Although a chilled rosé or sparkling spritz may be the drink for many in the summer, alcohol should be avoided because it reduces the body’s water retention and causes you to go to the bathroom more often. Alcohol inhibits the production of a hormone called vasopressin. Vasopressin is the hormone responsible for reducing water excretion. The nutritionist explains:
Alcohol turns off this hormone, so we go to the bathroom more often.
Soda
Another popular summer drink, chilled sodas of all kinds, should also be avoided because they have a dehydrating effect due to their caffeine content. The expert goes on to say:
While some research on caffeinated beverages suggests that the fluid contained in caffeinated beverages compensates for the water loss caused by the diuretic effect, caution should always be exercised.
Energy drinks
Energy drinks have become very popular in recent years, and a variety of them are on the market, touted as healthy at best and harmless at worst. But don’t be fooled: Energy drinks can harm the body, especially when it needs to maintain water balance. King elaborates:
Energy drinks contain sugar, caffeine and other chemicals that make them a poor choice for hydration in this heat.
So this summer, be mindful of the beverages you consume to quench your thirst.
- Source: gentside.de/picture:
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