There is certainly a hype when it comes to water bottles. In recent years, reusable water bottles have become extremely popular and have become a trendy accessory.
The amount of water we need
That water bottle is nice to have with you when you exercise and experience thirst, for example, but when is enough enough?
According to the Nutrition Center, it is recommended for adults (18 years and older) to drink 1.5 to 2 liters of fluid per day. This includes water, tea, coffee and other drinks. Pregnant and breastfeeding women may need more fluids.
It is important to drink enough, because water is essential for many bodily functions. Water helps regulate body temperature, transport nutrients and waste, and lubricate joints. Dehydration can lead to headaches, fatigue, constipation and other health problems.
Although water is the best choice for hydration, you can also drink other beverages such as tea and coffee. However, keep in mind that caffeinated drinks are mildly diuretic, so you should drink an extra glass of water for every cup of coffee or tea you drink to prevent dehydration.
Can you also drink too much water?
It is certainly possible to drink too much water in a day, even if you include tea, coffee and water from other sources. Drinking too much water can lead to a condition called hyponatremia.
Symptoms of hyponatremia:
- Misselijkheid en braken
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Confusion
- Muscle weakness and cramps
- In severe cases: seizures, coma and even death
How does hyponatremia occur from drinking too much water?
Normally, your body carefully regulates the amount of water and sodium in your blood. If you drink too much water, the sodium level in your blood can become too low. This is because water can enter the cells in your body, causing them to swell. The swollen cells can then remove sodium from your blood, causing sodium levels to become too low.
The amount of water that is too much can vary from person to person. However, it is in general It is not recommended to drink more than 3.7 liters of water per day.
How do you know if you drink enough water?
In addition to water, other drinks, such as tea and coffee, also count towards your daily fluid intake. However, caffeinated drinks such as coffee and tea have a mild diuretic effect. This means that your body loses more fluid through urination when you drink these drinks. To compensate for this effect, it is advisable to drink an extra glass of water for every cup of coffee or tea you drink.
Signs of dehydration:
Het is belangrijk om te letten op signalen van uitdroging, zoals:
- Thurst
- Dark yellow urine
- Headache
- Vermoeidheid
- Dry mouth and throat
- Decreased urine production
- Blockage
- Dizziness or light-headedness
If you suffer from these symptoms, it is important to drink more. You can also contact your doctor for further advice.
Strive for balance
As with so many things in life, striving for balance is the best guideline for water intake. Don't be fooled by influencers on Instagram, for example, who preach that everyone drinks too little water. The trendy water bottle is a great fashion statement and useful if you get thirsty at the gym, but this also applies to water; drink responsible.
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