seizures resulting from imbalances of sodium, potassium, and other electrolytes.

urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and related illnesses.

heat-related injuries, starting with cramps, but potentially leading to heat stroke.

The risks of dehydration are plentiful and serious: Infants and young children experiencing dehydration may have those same symptoms, as well as dry diapers for a long period and crying without tears. While thirst is certainly the most obvious sign of dehydration, your body is actually becoming dehydrated before you feel thirsty. Even being sick with a cold can make you less likely to eat and drink as much as you normally do, putting you at risk for dehydration. Likewise, being physically active in dry heat means your perspiration will evaporate more quickly, speeding up the loss of fluids and making you more vulnerable to dehydration.Ĭhronic health problems, such as diabetes and kidney disease, increase your odds of dehydration because of increased urination. Soups and broths are also mostly water, but look out for the calorie content and for high levels of sodium, which can make these options a little less healthy.ĭehydration and its accompanying health problems are particularly risky for people exercising or working in hot, humid weather.

watermelon, cantaloupe, and other melons.

Foods with lots of waterįoods that contain high percentages of water include: You will still retain a lot of the water in those drinks, but the caffeine will make you urinate more often, so you’ll lose more fluid than you would drinking water.Īlcohol has also diuretic properties and isn’t a healthy way to reach your water-consumption goals. A glass of orange juice is mostly water, for instance.īe careful, though, because caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, or certain sodas, can have a diuretic effect. Keep in mind that you can consume water in a variety of ways. To calculate how much water you should drink daily to maintain a healthy amount of water in your body, divide your weight in pounds by 2 and drink that amount in ounces.įor example, a 180-pound person should aim for 90 ounces of water, or about seven to eight 12-ounce glasses, each day. Too little water consumption raises the risk of dehydration and possible harm to the body.

If you don’t drink enough water, you won’t go to the bathroom as much because your body tries to conserve fluids and maintain an appropriate water level. The more water and fluids you drink, the more urine is produced in the kidneys.

Your body naturally tries to maintain healthy water levels by excreting excess water in urine. The ideal amount of water you should consume varies greatly, depending on factors such as age, weight, health, and activity level. Getting enough water depends on the food and beverages you consume each day. How do I maintain a healthy water percentage?

Foods that absorb water in body