The important functions of water
Drinking too little water is no small matter. Not drinking can lead to constipation and urinary stones. Your alertness drops, and you may lose consciousness. You can even die from dehydration. Drinking too little also dries out your mucous membranes and makes your mouth feel like cork. The skin is rich in fluids, so people who drink less have wrinkled skin.
«If you notice that you haven’t peed during the day, you definitely need to drink more,» says Vänni.
What if you consistently drink more water than recommended every day?
«Exactly none of us need more than four litres of water. The old term «dropsy» is a good way to describe the feeling of being overwatered: you get bloated, you can feel short of breath and you have to go to the toilet frequently. It is not a good idea to drink water when you are hungry, as water is quickly eliminated from the stomach and does not leave you feeling full for long. Drinking water with food reduces the amount of food you may have eaten because it fills your stomach. This can help you lose weight, for example,» says Vänni.
