Fluid and electrolyte balance is a focus of Chapter 9. Dangers of both dehydrati

Question

Fluid and electrolyte balance is a focus of Chapter 9. Dangers of both dehydration and overhydration (hyponatremia) are discussed. Research vacillates on how much we should be drinking; do you think thirst is the best indicator? How much water do you think we should be drinking? Why? Do you think bottled water is better for you than tap water, or not? Why? Do you drink extra water/bottled water- and if so, why? What do you think of sports beverages? Healthy, useful, or marketing hype? Do you like them? Do you think they are necessary for atheletes?

Explanation / Answer

To be very appropriate, thirst is an indicator of only mild dehydration in our body. Thirst causes a dry, sticky mouth and a bit of laziness in our body. But it cannot be said to be the best indicator of dehydration. The best indicator is the colour of urine. A dark or amber colored urine indicates requirement of water, or dehydration in your body.

We should be drinking 2-3 litres of water per day, that equals to about 8-12 glasses. But actually the exact quantity of water a person should be drinking depends on the person’s body weight. A 150 pound person should drink 75 to 150 ounce water per day.

Why? This water helps maintain the electrolyte balance of the body. It helps us to digest our food properly. Moreover, it allows the kidneys to function in a proper manner.

Yes, bottled water is somewhat better than tap water. It is free from contaminants, bacteria and other micro-organisms. Bottled water undergoes severe quality checks before coming in market. So, many times it is found to be better than tap water. Still, we should keep a check on the quality of our drinking water ourselves. We should regularly check the DO, BOD and TDS of our drinking water. TDS meters are available in markets.

Drinking extra water helps a person loose weight, keeps the skin glowing, makes a person feel energetic, and keeps your kidneys healthy. It also helps you get rid of constipation always. But, drinking too much water i.e. more than 3 litres per day can make you aquaholic. This will lead to excess sweat in the body. It also triggers the kidney to work more than usual.

Most sports beverages are just a marketing hype. They capture the consumer’s attention for selling their product. But some of them are healthy enough also. They contain carbohydrates, minerals, electrolytes and sometimes minerals also. No, they are not that necessary for athlete. Preparing the beverage with your own will always be better; it will contain the adequate content of electrolytes and water required by your body.

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