We need to drink eight glasses of water a day, right?
Wrong. Australian research has found that old advice was out of date. Instead, you should listen to your body and respond to how thirsty it feels.
![Water makes up about 60 per cent of body weight and is essential for flushing toxins out of vital organs.](/web/20170105143440im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/0/8/c/a/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gsppg8.png/1479287245573.jpg)
Which is all well and good, but what does that mean? Because every day you lose water through breathing, perspiring, urinating and defecating – and the rub is you may not even feel thirsty.
Water makes up about 60 per cent of body weight and is essential for flushing toxins out of vital organs, carrying nutrients to cells, and creating a moist environment for ears, noses and throats. Even a mild case of dehydration can sap your energy levels and make you feel pooped.
![Actress Chloe Grace Moretz radiates by keeping her skin hydrated.](/web/20170105143440im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/p/p/e/f/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gsppg8.png/1479287245573.jpg)
Here are the telltale signs that you need to have more H₂O in your day.
1) You're unusually ravenous If it's been more than three hours since your last meal, you probably are hungry but it's always a good idea to have a glass of water before you eat to see it this quenches your thirst and assuages your hunger pangs.
2) You're flat as a pancake for no apparent reason If your body is low on fluids, then it can't function optimally and you may feel groggy. According to Dr Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, from Langone Medical Centre in the United States, "As a result, your energy levels start to decline and you may feel increasingly weak and exhausted during this state of inadequate hydration."
3) You're having difficulty slimming down Dehydration may make you eat more as you often feel hungry when you are actually dehydrated, so drink some water before you eat and also before you drink alcohol. Water does help break down fat and burn kilojoules, although the weight you lose directly after intense physical activity is from water loss, not fat loss.
4) Your wee is the colour of off chardonnay Your urine should be wheat coloured when you are well hydrated. If your urine is dark yellow or orange this is a sign that you need to drink more water.
5) You're not weeing very often I used to think this was a badge of honour going a whole day with out weeing, but it's yet another sign of dehydration.
6) You have dagger breath Dr Okeke-Igbokwe says, "When you are dehydrated, the mouth can become extremely dry and salivary production may decrease. This can in turn lead to an overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth that creates a very unpleasant odour."
7) Your skin looks dull Try the skin pinch test on the back of your hand to see if you are dehydrated. If your skin bounces back into position quickly you are fine. If it stays in a ridge get chugging on some water. If your skin is dehydrated it may become sensitive. Unfortunately it's really hard to hydrate your skin from drinking water alone, so it's really important to use moisture-retaining skincare.
8) You're irritable Dehydration can affect brain function because 75 per cent of the brain is made up of water. So long story short, keep water nearby: deskside, bedside, carside, dining table side …
Did you know?
- You begin to feel thirsty when you lose just 1 per cent of water.
- It takes the body from five minutes to 120 minutes for water to absorb fully into your bloodstream after your first sip.