Water is one substance that we cannot live without.
Our bodies are made up primarily of water, so it makes sense that we need to maintain sufficient water levels in order to keep our insides healthy and functioning as they should.
However, many of us do not drink enough water and instead rely on sugary soda pop to quench our thirst, when in actual fact, the high sugar content actually sucks water out of the cells and contributes to dehydration and other negative symptoms.
Water helps your brain to function, regulates body temperature and flushes waste from the system, but you need to drink at least 2 liters a day to reap these important benefits.
Many people think that as long as they drink a little each day and aren’t showing the obvious signs of dehydration they are just fine. But did you know that your body can show signs of dehydration in other ways?
If you have any of these symptoms then it may be time to amp up your water intake.
Seriously dry skin
Water helps to keep your skin cells hydrated and plump, so when you aren’t drinking enough your skin is going to feel dry and parched.
A good way to test if you’re dehydrated is to pinch the skin on the back of your hand and see how long it takes to “bounce back.” If it stays in a “tented” position for more than a second you may need to drink more. Water, that is!
Bad breath
No one wants bad breath, but it’s a sad reality if you aren’t getting your sip on!
Saliva has antibacterial properties to kill bad smelling bacteria in your mouth and water helps to produce adequate quantities. If you don’t drink enough water, your body won’t produce enough saliva and this encourages bacteria to grow.
Dark urine
Sure, certain vitamins, like B vitamins can turn your urine a neon shade of yellow, but apart from vitamins, your urine should always be mostly clear with a hint of yellow. If you see dark yellow or orange it’s time to drink water immediately!
Headaches
Headaches are never fun, but the first thing most people do when a headache starts is reach for pills.
Next time you feel a headache coming on, try drinking a glass of water first, it may have been mild dehydration and you won’t need medication after all!
Muscle cramps
If you find your muscles seizing up and cramping during a workout, it’s often a result of heat effect on the muscles and an indication that your body is in need of pure refreshment.
Always sip on water during a strenuous workout, and better yet, add one of our Ener-C Sport electrolyte packets for an extra boost. The light, refreshing berry flavour won't distract you from a tough workout, and with only 1 gram of sugar per packet: just enough to allow your body to benefit from the hydrating effect of the electrolytes.Â
 We hope this article will help you to become more aware of your body so you can ensure it’s perfectly hydrated at all times. Stay away from high-sugar drinks and aim for at least 2 liters of water every single day.