The human body consists of 60% water. It is very important for the normal functioning of the body and the normalization of metabolic processes. However, you will lose water through sweat, urination, and breathing. Therefore, you should drink enough water regularly to stay hydrated.
Not drinking enough water can lead to extreme fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, and a general feeling of dehydration. Chronic dehydration weakens your immune system. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of 21 signs you’re not drinking enough water.
If you experience any of these symptoms, the first step is to increase your daily water intake.
A sign that you are not drinking enough water
Water is so important to our body’s functions that its lack can cause a number of problems. Here are the most common signs of dehydration that indicate you need to drink more water
- Constant thirst
First, let’s take a look at the signs of dehydration. You may experience extreme thirst that doesn’t go away with just a sip or swallow of water. Your body is trying to tell you that it has not had enough water after a while, so you need to quench this thirst as soon as possible. - Persistent bad smell
By staying properly hydrated, you help your salivary glands produce more saliva, which removes bacteria from your mouth. When you are dehydrated, saliva production is limited, which helps bacteria grow in the gums and between teeth. This can lead to chronic bad breath. - Diminished urine/dark urine
Your kidneys need water to function properly and flush out toxins from your system. If you don’t drink enough water, your kidneys will retain more water, causing you to urinate less. Not only that, the next time you pee, it contains more toxins, making it darker in color and smelling stronger. - Constant hunger and cravings for sugar
Without adequate water intake, your body will have trouble making energy from glucose stores. As a result, you will be hungry and start craving sweet foods like chocolate, cookies, and candies. If this happens to you, i.e. you are still hungry after eating, it is a sign that you are dehydrated.
Read: How Drinking Water Helps Lower Blood Sugar
- Weight gain
Gain weight
This stems from the last point. If drinking less water increases hunger, it can lead to weight gain. Furthermore, dehydration lowers your metabolic rate, which can contribute to weight gain. - Poor skin health
If you’re dehydrated, your skin cells don’t have enough water. This means that your skin will start to become dry, elastic and flaky, as well as fine lines and sagging skin. Water also helps remove toxins from your system, so a lack of it can mean toxins build up and cause acne and pimples. - Digestive problems/Constipation
Digestive problems
Water keeps the digestive system healthy and helps food move through the digestive tract. It also softens your stool and makes it easier to pass. Dehydration can harden stools and slow their passage through your system. This can lead to persistent constipation, bloating and flatulence. - Dry mouth and chapped lips
We all know that horrible feeling when the inside of the mouth becomes sticky and dry. However, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that this is the result of dehydration or improper water intake. The same goes for dry, chapped lips that crack easily. These are often the first signs of dehydration and can be remedied by increasing your daily water intake.