Diet Soda Drinkers: Are You Dehydrated?

How do you know if you are getting enough water each day? This
is a really important question because many of us have deprived
ourselves of water and have become so accustomed to living with
less than what our body requires, we don’t recognise the
symptoms of thirst.

1. The most common symptom is headaches. A major function of
water is to flush toxins from the body. Your brain is 75% water,
so even being slightly dehydrated can cause headaches.

2. Poor concentration/fatigue. If you body can’t get rid of the
toxins it will struggle and you will feel less energetic as your
body diverts energy to deal with the toxins.

3. Constipation. Your body will divert water to more essential
functions and as a result your stools will be harder and more
difficult to expel.

4. Reduced urine output or dark urine. Did you know that up to
200 litres of water is passed through your kidneys daily?
Without a fresh supply of water for the kidneys to filter waste
products out of the blood, your urine will become darker.

5. Furry tongue or bad breath. If you don’t have enough water
passing through the mouth to wash away food particles, bacteria
can proliferate and result in that ‘furry’ feeling or bad breath.

6. Skin. Your skin should feel elastic. When you pinch the skin
on the back of your hand it should snap back instantly.

Some people trying to control their weight, drink bottles of
diet sodas each day. Often these beverages contain caffeine,
which is a diruretic causing the body to excrete water. In fact
the net result may be dehydration. So if you are a ‘heavy
diet-soda’ drinker, and you recognise these symptoms, you may be
able to improve your health by simply drinking 6 to 8 glasses a
day of pure, fresh water!

(c) Kim Beardsmore

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