What happens if you don't drink enough water Persistent headaches. Water makes up 60% of the human body and is needed to help maintain a healthy weight, eliminate toxins from the body, and produce body fluids such as saliva. Water also contributes to normal bowel function, optimal muscle performance and clear, youthful-looking skin. However, not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration and adverse symptoms, such as fatigue, headache, weakening of immunity and dry skin.
Is it possible that your health problems are due to not drinking enough water? Here are seven signs that you may need to start drinking more water to benefit from better health. Water is essential for saliva production and helps eliminate bacteria so you can maintain healthy teeth and gums. A lack of water inhibits saliva production and causes bacteria to build up on the tongue, teeth and gums, contributing to bad breath. If you practice good oral hygiene but are still suffering from chronic bad breath, you may not be drinking enough water.
Make an appointment with your doctor if bad breath persists after increasing water intake to rule out other underlying causes, such as gum disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver or kidney problems. Not drinking enough water can cause general fluid loss in the body. This loss of fluid can cause a decrease in blood volume, putting excessive pressure on the heart to supply oxygen and nutrients to organs, including muscles. A lack of water can cause periods of fatigue and lack of energy as the body tries to function without enough water.
If you constantly feel sluggish and tired despite having a good night's sleep, you may need to increase your water intake. Water helps remove toxins, waste and bacteria from the body to fight diseases and infections, and it strengthens the immune system so that you get sick less often. If you always seem to get sick, you may need to start drinking more water to keep your body free of toxins and function at an optimal level. Because a lack of water also causes fatigue, you may tend to be less physically active, another risk factor for weakened immunity.
Water promotes good digestion and regular bowel movements by keeping stools soft and moving them easily through the digestive tract. Not drinking enough water can cause the body to draw water from the stool to compensate for fluid loss, making stools harder and firmer, which are more difficult to eliminate. If your stools are irregular and infrequent, try drinking more water to loosen stools and relieve constipation and bloating. Another major cause of urinary tract infections is dehydration.
Drinking water helps eliminate bacteria from the bladder, thus preventing the onset of infections. Some warning signs that our water intake is too low are dark-colored urine or a total decrease in the need to urinate. Of course, if you feel like you have an infection, see a medical professional and drink plenty of water. Drinking water is essential for healthy digestion and intestinal health6, as it ensures that food travels through the digestive tract smoothly and without complications.
