It’s commonly believed that dehydration is primarily a concern during hotter months, but it’s equally crucial to maintain proper hydration during cold winter days.
Water makes up almost 60% of the body weight and is necessary for survival and several key physical processes. It is essential for preserving homeostasis, moving nutrients, getting rid of waste, and preserving the hydration of tissues and organs.
What happens when you don’t drink sufficient water in winter?
The cold weather will make you sweat less, so we tend to ignore how important it is to stay hydrated during winter. When you don’t drink enough water, your body becomes vulnerable to several health issues.
1. Thirst reflex
When you don’t drink enough water, your thirst impulse is impaired, and as a result, you don’t realize your state of hydration. So, you must consume at least 6-8 glasses of water every day to avoid the problem.
2. More urination
Do you often feel the urge to pee more than usual during winter? Since you tend to sweat less in winter, your body tries to regulate body temperature by excreting fluid throughout your kidneys – a condition known as cold diuresis.
3. Dry skin
Does your skin get dry during the winter season? The main reason for dry skin in winter is dehydration. Our dry wintry cannot retain moisture, so there is insensible water loss from the skin even if we do not sweat much.
How can you fight water dehydration?
Make sure you are drinking sufficient water by setting reminders
- Try to add other drinks like juices of fruits like melons, citrus fruits, etc.
- People tend to confuse hunger with thirst, and they end up binge-eating foods they shouldn’t. So, drink water first before eating something the next time you feel hungry.
- If the signs of dehydration show on your skin, moisturise it well and drink more water.
- Winter or not, you must drink sufficient water regularly to avoid complications like dehydration which can put your health in jeopardy.
