Do you ever feel sluggish, struggle to focus, or wonder why you're constantly battling headaches?
The answer might be simpler than you think: hydration. While often overlooked, water is the single most vital nutrient for your body, powering everything from your brain to your metabolism. In fact, studies show that a staggering 80% of Australians aren't drinking enough water. Are you one of them? Dive in to discover precisely why staying hydrated is the cornerstone of good health and how simple changes can transform your energy, mood, and overall vitality.
Why is water important for our bodies?
Water is the most essential nutrient for our bodies. After all, we are made of around 60% water. But it isn’t just about quenching our thirst, water plays a vital role in regulating body temperature, lubricating joints, keeping organs functioning, supporting digestion, aiding cognitive performance, and supporting every cell in our bodies to function properly.
The fact is, we need a steady supply of water to keep all these systems running smoothly. According to the National Academies of Sciences, men should aim to drink around 3.7 liters (about 10 cups) of water each day, while women need about 2.7 liters (around 8 cups)1. Sounds like a lot, right? But despite these recommendations, studies show that up to 80% of Australians don’t drink enough water — and many of us don’t even realise it.
What are the unknown signs of dehydration?
It's easy to forget about hydration when we’re busy, stressed, or just not paying attention. But the reality is that many of us are chronically dehydrated without even realising it.
Most of us are familiar with the common symptoms of dehydration: a dry mouth, feeling thirsty, or chapped lips. However, dehydration can also present itself in ways that we tend to overlook, such as headaches, dizziness, or even mood swings. The brain is made up of around 73% water, so dehydration can cause cognitive fatigue, poor concentration, and memory lapses making you feel irritable or sluggish. If you’ve ever wondered why you get a headache or feel foggy after a long day, it could very well be your body’s way of telling you it needs more water.
The biggest takeaway from this, is that one of the most harmful elements about chronic dehydration is that we can get used to it. When you’re dehydrated all the time, you may not even notice the effects anymore. Your body has adapted, but that doesn’t mean it’s functioning at its best. Staying on top of your hydration needs can make a world of difference. From clearer skin, to better concentration, and an overall sense of better well being.
Why do we not drink enough water?
So why don’t we drink enough water to avoid all these dehydration symptoms in the first place? For rainwater, the common contaminants such as dead animals, droppings and air pollution can make the water taste off. For mains water, the chlorine used to disinfect the water can leave a distinctly unpleasant taste, and let’s face it, no one wants to drink something that doesn’t taste great. Why should you? This is one of the main reasons why people tend to drink less water and keep pouring alternative drinks that simply taste better, but may not be doing us any favours to our health and wellbeing.
A simple solution: Water Filtration
One of the best ways to solve the chronic dehydration problem is by filtering your water.
Water filtration systems can reduce chlorine, impurities, and other unwanted elements in your rainwater tank to improve the taste and quality. With this simple step, we can guarantee you’re more likely to drink more, helping you stay hydrated throughout the day and in the long run.
- Enhanced Cognitive Function: Even mild dehydration can impair concentration, memory, and mood. Proper hydration keeps your brain sharp, improving focus and alertness.
- Sustained Energy Levels: Water plays a crucial role in transporting oxygen and nutrients to your cells, fueling your body and preventing fatigue.
- Improved Mood: Research suggests a direct link between hydration and mood stability. Stay hydrated to reduce irritability and improve your outlook.
- Temperature Regulation: Water acts as your body's thermostat, regulating internal temperature through perspiration.
- Joint Lubrication & Protection: It keeps your joints pliable and reduces friction, acting as a shock absorber.
- Nutrient Absorption & Waste Removal: Water is essential for dissolving nutrients and flushing toxins and waste products from your kidneys and liver.
- Healthy Digestion: Adequate water intake softens stool and helps prevent constipation, supporting a healthy digestive system.
So, next time you feel thirsty or notice that dry mouth, grab a glass of filtered water. Don’t wait for that headache to remind you, it’s not just a drink but a small yet powerful step toward better health!
Our whole-house filtration system, the FilterWall™ F Series, is a game-changer for consistent water quality. With filtered water available from every tap in your home, from the kitchen to the bathroom, you can even take a sip in the shower! You’ll have easy access to great-tasting water wherever you are. This encourages more frequent water consumption and helps you avoid those sneaky signs of dehydration that might otherwise go unnoticed.
To enjoy pure drinking water only at the kitchen sink, Puretec’s best selling undersink PureMix Z7 water filtration system filters out sediment, rust and dirt with 3 levels of filtration all the way down to approx 1 micron for mains water. Bad taste and odour from chlorine is reduced leaving great tasting, clean and safe water.
References:
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. "Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate," 2004.