4 Ways to Ease Your H₂0 Woes

It’s easy to tell when we’re parched after a workout, while eating a salty snack or if we’re outside on a hot summer day. However, there are other signs your body may use to signal that you're dehydrated.

Here are four odd symptoms that could indicate you need more water in your life.

Cravings. Dehydration can be confused with a craving for sweets because a lack of water means your body produces less glucose. Low water intake is also linked to diabetes and a higher body mass index.

Digestion problems. If you’ve ever battled constipation, dehydration might be the reason why. Water consumption softens stool and prevents constipation. Water also helps us produce digestive acid, absorb nutrients from food and even beat bad breath. Drinking more water, especially first thing in the morning, could boost your metabolism and good gut bacteria.

Headaches. It could be a sign of dehydration if you wake up with a migraine—or a headache reminiscent of a hangover even when you didn’t drink alcohol. Dehydration can temporarily shrink the brain, causing it to pull away from the skull and trigger headaches, moodiness and fatigue. But don’t fret—rehydration can get you back to normal.

Trouble concentrating. One study found that dehydration impaired participants not only physically but also cognitively. When dehydrated, our problem-solving skills, attention, memory and hand-eye coordination decline.

It can be easy to forget to drink water when immersed in a work project or other aspects of your busy life. If you have trouble gulping water down, consider eating your water. Though most hydration comes in liquid form, some fruits and vegetables can also provide water content. Apples, celery, cucumbers, tomato, lettuce, and watermelon are foods with high water content.

If the trouble is that you are so busy during the day that you forget to sip, consider more helpful products. “By the hour” reusable water bottles have lines and times that tell you when to drink more and how much to imbibe. Some apps and devices can also remind you when to take a sip and track your daily intake.

The Mayo Clinic recommends women consume 92 ounces of water per day. Men should drink 124 ounces. If you don’t usually drink much water, start with a smaller goal and work your way up.

Don’t like the taste? Try adding berries, citrus fruit and herbs to your water bottle to make things more interesting. Don’t know where to start? Try:

Freezing berries and mint in your ice cubes. Not only is it eye-catching, but you get the flavorful benefits of antioxidant-filled berries and mint that aids in digestion.

Adding chopped watermelon. Not only is watermelon associated with summer, it has potassium as well as vitamins A, B6 and C.

Letting lemon aid you. Lemon water can help prevent kidney stones as well as aid weight loss and digestion.

Floating cucumber slices. Cucumbers lower blood pressure, can soothe skin from the inside out and may even stave off cancer.

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