It’s shocking that so many individuals are chronically dehydrated but have no idea it. It’s inexplicable that in this day and age, when so much knowledge is disseminated in so many ways, millions of people still succumb to thirst annually.

There are two main reasons for this: first, millions of people around the world lack easy access to clean water or must travel great distances to obtain it, and second, even in first-world countries, far too many people simply aren’t aware of the signs of dehydration and, as a result, don’t drink enough water on a regular basis, especially in hot weather or when physically exercising or doing strenuous work.

To what extent may one get dehydrated, and what are the early warning signs?

Most people are aware that dry mouth and thirst are the initial indicators of dehydration, but few realise that at this point, their bodies are already 2% dehydrated.

Lack of energy is another early indicator of dehydration that we may not be aware of and, as a result, may not pay much attention to, as the cells of the human body are the first to lose water. Every 1% decrease in the amount of water inside your cells reduces energy output by 10%.

Water is required to break down the food that we eat, and dehydration produces a shortage of stomach acid, so the stomach is unable to digest the food and forces it back up the oesophagus mixed with some acid. This results in indigestion, heartburn, and acid reflux.

Constipation is a well-known sign of dehydration because it indicates that the intestinal tract is not getting enough water, which prevents the food you eat from being liquefied and broken down so that the body’s nutrients may be taken. The colon becomes very dry because the body reabsorbs the water, which makes it difficult for waste to pass through the lower intestine and causes chronic constipation, which can lead to haemorrhoids, polyp growth, diverticulitis, and even colon cancer.

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