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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
The Importance of Hydration
Proper hydration is important for overall health. Without proper hydration, you become dehydrated, which means your body does not have enough water to function normally. You lose water every day when you breathe, sweat and go to the bathroom. The water content in the foods you eat and the beverages you drink combine to hydrate your body 1.
Athletic Performance
Hydration is essential to peak athletic performance. When you do not consume enough liquid or fresh fruits and vegetables to stay properly hydrated, you end up thirsty and light headed. Insufficient hydration fatigues your muscles, reduces your coordination and causes muscle cramps. While working out or playing sports, dehydration compromises the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating. This leads to heat exhaustion and in extreme cases a potentially life-threatening condition called heat stroke.
- Hydration is essential to peak athletic performance.
- While working out or playing sports, dehydration compromises the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating.
Weight Loss
How to Know if You Are Dehydrated When Pregnant
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Consume part of the water required for proper daily hydration before your meals to control your appetite according to a study by researchers from Virginia Tech and reported at the 2010 National Meeting of the American Chemical Society. Drinking 16 oz. of water before meals three times a day over a 12-week period increased average weight loss by about 5 lbs., compared with those who did not increase water intake. Researchers could not definitively say what caused the additional weight loss but speculate it fills up the stomach making you feel fuller.
- Consume part of the water required for proper daily hydration before your meals to control your appetite according to a study by researchers from Virginia Tech and reported at the 2010 National Meeting of the American Chemical Society.
Pregnant Women and New Mothers
Sufficient hydration is important to a health pregnancy. Staying properly hydrated assists with the liver and kidney function for the mother and the fetus. During her pregnancy it helps the mother combat constipation and increases her blood volume as her body expands and the fetus grows. A new mother needs proper hydration to produce a sufficient amount of breast milk for her baby. Dehydration can cause preterm labor and miscarriage.
- Sufficient hydration is important to a health pregnancy.
- Staying properly hydrated assists with the liver and kidney function for the mother and the fetus.
Considerations
Why Do I Feel Light Headed When I Drink Water?
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Certain health conditions increase the amount of water required to stay properly hydrated. If you have kidney stones, a bladder infection, have been vomiting or have diarrhea, your health professional may recommend increasing your water consumption. Fitness enthusiasts exercising inside or outside, especially during hot weather, require more water to stay properly hydrated. Looking at the color of your urine is one way to know how hydrated you are. Light yellow or colorless urine typically indicates proper hydration, but dark yellow urine is a common indicator of dehydration.
- Certain health conditions increase the amount of water required to stay properly hydrated.
- Fitness enthusiasts exercising inside or outside, especially during hot weather, require more water to stay properly hydrated.
Related Articles
References
- Medline Plus: Water in the Diet
- Acefitness.org, Fit Facts, Healthy Hydration, 2008
- CDC.gov, Water and nutrition basics, 6/3/14
- US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Effect of ‘Water Induced Thermogenesis’ on Body Weight, Body Mass Index and Body Composition of Overweight Subjects, Journal Clinical. Diagnostic Res., 9/10/13, A. Vij and Anjali S. Joshi
Writer Bio
Victoria Weinblatt began writing articles in 2007, contributing to The Huffington Post and other websites. She is a certified yoga instructor, group fitness instructor and massage therapist. Weinblatt received her B.S. in natural resources from Michigan State University and an M.Ed. from Shenandoah University.