Why is fluid intake important




















The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend all Australians to limit their intake of drinks containing added sugar. This includes sugar-sweetened soft drinks and cordials, fruit drinks, vitamin-style waters, flavoured mineral waters, energy and sports drinks. Having sugary drinks provides additional energy kilojoules to the diet, but no other essential nutrients. There is strong evidence of the association between having sugary dinks and excess weight gain in both children and adults, as well as reduced bone strength and tooth decay.

Artificially sweetened drinks add very little energy kilojoules to the diet and therefore do not contribute directly to weight gain.

They may also lead to decreased bone density as people may drink less milk and contribute to tooth decay due to their acidity. Dehydration occurs when the water content of the body is too low. This is easily fixed by increasing fluid intake.

In extreme cases, dehydration may result in death. Anyone can experience dehydration but there are some people who can be more at risk — such as babies, children and the elderly. Babies and children are susceptible to dehydration, particularly if they are ill.

Vomiting, fever and diarrhoea can quickly cause dehydration. Dehydration can be a life-threatening condition in babies and children. If you suspect dehydration, take your baby or child to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately.

Some of the symptoms of dehydration in babies and children include:. Not drinking enough water can increase the risk of kidney stones and, in women, urinary tract infections. It can also lower your physical and mental performance, and your salivary gland function, and lead to dehydration. But did you know that it is possible to drink too much water and cause a condition called hyponatraemia water intoxication?

Drinking too much water can damage the body and cause hyponatraemia water intoxication , although it is pretty rare in the general population. Hyponatraemia occurs when sodium in the blood, which is needed for muscle contraction and sending nerve impulses, drops to a dangerously low level.

If large amounts of plain water are consumed in a short period of time, the kidneys cannot get rid of enough fluid through urine and the blood becomes diluted. Hyponatraemia can lead to headaches, blurred vision, cramps and eventually convulsions , swelling of the brain, coma and possibly death. For water to reach toxic levels, many litres of water would have to be consumed in a short period of time. Hyponatraemia is most common in people with particular diseases or mental illnesses for example, in some cases of schizophrenia , endurance athletes and in infants who are fed infant formula that is too diluted.

Many people believe that drinking water causes fluid retention. In fact, the opposite is true. Athletes often choose isotonic sports drinks to replace both fluid and salts lost through sweat. In fact, regular drinking is as much part of their training as their diet and physical strength. Remember to take a bottle of water with you when you go for a walk, to the gym, for a run or game of football or rounders and drink a little every now and then! Good hydration is critical to health and keeps our bodies performing at their best, not only in terms of all the processes that go on but also keeping our levels of concentration up.

The best advice is to keep a bottle of water close by to top up fluid levels regularly and keep thirst away. Read less more. Return to listing. Why do we need fluids?

Why do we need to keep hydrated? How much do I need? A few groups listed in the box below need to take particular care to make sure their fluid levels are kept topped up and these include: Children: Often too busy to recognise the signs of thirst! Older people may have less sense of thirst or forget to drink Older people may avoid drinking fluid late in the day to avoid going to the toilet at night A wee problem can turn into a big problem Some older people avoid drinking fluid in the afternoon and evening as they are worried about getting to the toilet during the night.

Which drinks count towards your fluid intake? Water: water is a great thirst quencher. Milk: milk is also a good source of calcium for strong bones and strong muscles. Flavoured milk: flavoured milk is a good source of calcium for strong bones and protein for strong muscles.

Smoothies: smoothies can be a good way to get an extra serve of fruit or dairy into your day. Milk on cereal: cereal with milk is a great way to get extra fluid at breakfast time Jelly: if the older person has diabetes, a sugar-free or low-joule jelly may be a better choice. Custard: custard is also a good option if a client has trouble chewing or swallowing food.

Tea: caffeine has a mild diuretic effect but tea and coffee still count towards fluid intake. Coffee: making a milk coffee is a great way to get some extra protein and calcium. Not getting enough water can also affect your mood. Dehydration may result in fatigue and confusion as well as anxiety. Adequate water intake will help keep your skin hydrated and may promote collagen production. This process is also connected to your genes and overall sun protection.

Dehydration is the result of your body not having enough water. And because water is imperative to so many bodily functions, dehydration can be very dangerous. Being attentive to the amount of water you drink each day is important for optimal health. People get about 20 percent of their daily water intake from food. The rest is dependent on drinking water and water-based beverages. So, ideally men would consume about ounces 3. Other ways to assess hydration include your thirst and the color of your urine.

Feeling thirsty indicates your body is not receiving adequate hydration. Urine that is dark or colored indicates dehydration. Pale or non-colored urine typically indicates proper hydration. Water is important to nearly every part of your body. Not only will hitting your daily recommended intake help you maintain your current state of being, it may even improve your overall health. Food and water consumption are essential components to life. So how long can you go without water before the effects of dehydration kick in?

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