10 Signs You're Not Drinking Enough Water

Water is the foundation of life. By depriving yourself of this natural source of energy, you gradually harm your body. Here are ten subtle signs that you might not be drinking enough water.

1. You Feel Hungry

Often, a dehydrated body confuses thirst with hunger. This continues throughout the day, and at night you might wake up with a strong urge to eat. However, food creates more work for the body, whereas water cleanses organs and provides the necessary fuel to support other bodily processes.

2. You Have Dry Mouth

It sounds obvious, but the consequences can be more complex. Every time you have an unpleasant sensation in your mouth, you might reach for a drink. However, sugary drinks only solve the problem temporarily. Water, on the other hand, coats and moistens the mouth and throat's mucous membranes long after the first sip.

3. You Experience Joint Pain

Our cartilage and intervertebral discs are about 80% water. Maintaining the necessary fluid levels ensures that your joints can handle sudden movements like running, jumping, or awkward falls.

4. Your Muscle Mass Decreases

Your muscles also contain a significant amount of water. Naturally, less water in the body means less muscle mass. Drinking water before, during, and after workouts not only quenches thirst but also reduces the risk of inflammation and soreness caused by exercise (especially when lifting heavy weights).

5. You Have Dry Skin

60-70% of the world's population deals with dry skin to some extent, which is a sign of dehydration. Your skin is the largest organ in the body, so it needs hydration. Lack of water usually means a lack of sweat, which prevents the body from expelling excess oils and salts.

6. Your Eyes Are Dry

It's clear that the amount of water you drink affects more than just your mouth and stomach. Lack of fluids leads to dry, irritated eyes (remember your last hangover?). Without water, tear ducts dry up, causing significant discomfort, especially if you wear contact lenses regularly.

7. You Get Sick More Often

Water helps the body eliminate toxins. Your organs function like a machine, filtering out certain substances. But if you don't fuel the machine (your body) with water, it can't function properly. Consequently, organs draw water from your blood, leading to new problems.

8. You Feel Fatigued and Tired

As mentioned, when your body is dehydrated, it "borrows" water from the blood. Lack of water in the blood leads to a lack of oxygen throughout the body, causing sleepiness and fatigue. A person deprived of vitality tires out by midday. Remember, coffee won't solve the problem in the long run.

9. You Have Digestive Issues

We've already discussed the importance of hydration for your mouth and throat's mucous membranes. This also applies to the entire digestive system. Without sufficient water, the concentration of mucus in the stomach decreases. In such cases, stomach acid can damage your internal organs, leading to heartburn and indigestion.

10. You Suffer from Constipation

Hydration acts as a lubricant for the digestive system. The large intestine absorbs water needed for the digestive tract in the next phase of digestion. In short, water keeps food moving through your intestines and maintains their flexibility. Therefore, dehydration is one of the most common causes of constipation.