7 Interesting and Useful Facts About Hydration

1. Drinking water flushes toxins from your body.

This fact about water comes directly from the kidneys. If your kidneys don't have the proper amount of water to help process metabolic waste, they operate inefficiently. Do your body a favor and hydrate yourself so you can flush out toxins naturally. No 'juice cleanse' required. 

2. Drinking water helps you lose weight

This common saying is in fact true. Although water itself is not a weight loss drug, it can be a positive influence on your diet as well as your metabolism. Those who stay vigilant about hydration enjoy a boosted metabolism, and a tall glass of water before a meal can help reduce overindulgence. 

3. It is possible to drink too much water

Some proponents of hydration don't want to believe it, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing, even with water. Consuming too much water without adequate salt intake can cause your body to have severely adverse reactions. Being hydrated is about balancing your salt levels with your water levels, not about consuming an irresponsible amount of water. Additionally, those with kidney transplant scheduled or chronic high blood pressure may need to consult their doctor about what works best. 

4. Dehydration can impair cognitive function 

This fact has the potential to change lives for many people. Studies show that if your hydration levels are even 3% off of where they should be, you can experience noticeable impairment. Short term memory, visual perception, and motor ability all became significantly impaired in those who were dehydrated. So next time you notice yourself having a bout of brain fog, reach for a glass of water and keep your hydration in mind. [i]

5. The older you are, the more vigilant you must be about hydration

As you age, your sensation of thirst becomes less and less noticeable. This makes staying hydrated much more difficult as you can miss out on one of the bodies most important reminders. To combat this, get in the habit of drinking a glass of water in the morning when you wake up, a glass with every meal, and a glass before bed. The best way to beat the effects of dehydration is to stay ahead of them!

6. Most Americans are chronically dehydrated

This fact is unfortunately true. Three out of every four Americans are chronically dehydrated. To some, this may not seem like a huge deal, but as we've seen in the previous facts, water has a large influence on our health, both physical and mental. If you think you might be a part of the 75%, take this opportunity to grab glass of water. If you suspect a friend of family needs one too, spread the word. [ii]

7. Dehydration is one of the most common risk factors for kidney stones

Rounding out our list of facts is a cautionary tale of the possible implications of chronic dehydration. Being chronically dehydrated is, according to a 1990 study, a factor in roughly 20% of kidney stone cases. [iii] In another study, kidney stone patients who were told to consume more water in their course of treatment resulted in drop in kidney stone reoccurrence. [iv]

[i] Benton, D. (2011). Dehydration influences mood and cognition: a plausible hypothesis?. Nutrients, 3(5), 555-573. 

[ii] Survey of 3003 Americans, Nutrition Information Center, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center (April 14, 1998).

[iii], O. M., Rose, G. A., & Rosenbaum, T. (1990). Chronic dehydration stone disease. British journal of urology, 66(4), 357-362.

[iv], L., Meschi, T., Amato, F., Briganti, A., Novarini, A., & Giannini, A. (1996). Urinary volume, water and recurrences in idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis: a 5-year randomized prospective study. The Journal of urology,155(3), 839-843.