Why Drinking Only When You Are Thirsty Is Bad For You

If you are like one of the 95% of students who only drink when they are thirsty, you are in for some shocking news as is found from surveys up and down the country, that clearly state that good hydration is only achieved through regular intake of water during the day. So read on to find out why drinking only when you are thirsty is bad for you.

The "Universidad Complutense de Madrid" found out that 95% of students only drink when they are thirsty which indicate the reason why, as a result of the statistic, they end up having less concentration, poorer results, headaches and tiredness.

During the exams period, it is so important to maintain proper hydration for having neuro cells properly oxygenated, receiving blood in the right proportion to maintain an alert and responsive brain. During the exams period of May and June when the final exams take place, it is of paramount importance to keep a high state of alert and concentration to get the results wanted.

By that effort of 8 hours plus of study, levels of hydration are constantly being used by the body cells and according to the European Hydration Institute, the water intake for the body must be done in the same constant manner as opposed to only when pupils are thirsty, in order to maintain proper brain function.


Actually, even more striking is the fact studies found out 9 out of 10 of those students surveyed say they only drink their water at main meal´s time. That same institute above also says that water lost from the body is happening constantly so it figures that replenishing of water for the body is needed frequently to avoid levels of dehydration that cause tiredness and lack of concentration.

The equilibrium of water intake with the water lost through perspiration, urination and respiration must be maintained if the hydration levels are to be achieved for reducing the gravity of headaches, poor concentration and tiredness. Also, good hydration function is required for all other cognitive brain powers.

Many other drinks besides water are able to provide the body 85% of the levels needed for proper hydration: refreshing drinks, milk, coffee, tea, fruit juices and others have plenty of water in them that the body needs. But those need liver function before the water content is absorbed, that is why drinking plain water frequently is much more efficient for the body and the recommended way of keeping hydrated.

The adequate hydration of the human body, contributes favourably to maintaining the cognitive functions in the body. Professor and doctor Lluis Serra-Majem, President of the Nutritional Investigation Foundation of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain says: "Dehydration can alter brain activity and the function of some of the neurotransmitters present in the cognitive process"

He also goes on saying that "dehydration influences the working capacity even at low levels of a 2% drop, cognitive abilities like motorvision, attention and short-memory rates are affected" Of course, higher levels is responsible for a sharp drop of alertness and concentration while at the same time it increases fatigue and sleepiness as well as alterations in the cerebral activity and neurotransmitters´function.

Other studies on this problem, go on to expose how on the labor market also, lower hydration levels in the working population, show that effectiveness at work drop and productivity is low as a consequence. So, in cases like these or when in industrial premises, the use of protective equipment, hermetic clothing, masks etc. can augment the dehydration problem amongst workers.


And in offices or work spaces with air-conditioned installations that cause dry environments for the workers, special care should be given to the right hydration of the people involved, so that levels of productivity and good health remains good at all times.

So, what can all of us do to stay hydrated every moment of the day? From all the things said above, it is really quite simple:

Drink regularly during the whole day, especially if it is hot.

Use a variety of liquid intake which helps to keep the level of hydration including water, tea, coffee, fruit juices, fruit infused water etc.

Keep an eye on the calorific value of the drinks you take, to make sure a varied diet, healthy living and active lifestyle is achieved.

Lots of drinks like fruit juices, tea, coffee and refreshing drinks are more than 85% water content anyway.

If you are tired, drinks that contain caffeine like, coffee, tea and natural fruit infusion water help to maintain a state of alertness.

To study or work in places with air-conditioned systems, can cause an increase of water loss through respiration.


German Calvo has decided to do something about this problem for those that have difficulty of drinking the right amount of water every day, be it because they don´t like the taste of water or lack of taste of it, by offering a FREE eBook of delicious fruit infuser water to those that care to go to http://www.Gertechs.com/fruit-infuser-water-bottle

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=German_Calvo
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