Hydration

Hydration is one of the most important and underestimated processes in nutrition. It is achieved through the intake of beverages and foods rich in water. Over time, hydration has become so important that it is now a topic of study within nutrition. Several studies have shown that many of our meal plans and the balance of water we consume daily are not sufficient to maintain adequate hydration.

In this guide, we will discuss the basics of hydration to help you maintain an adequate rate of hydration in your diets and meal plans.

Important aspects of hydration: The level of hydration in our body must be taken care of thoroughly. Dehydration can lead to higher than usual physical wear and tear, a drastic decrease in cognitive level and serious effects on the cerebrovascular system. Water is essential for all functions of the body.

Water acts as a natural regulator of body temperature, is essential for the transport of nutrients and plays an important role in the elimination of wastes through urine and feces.

That said, it is crucial to pay attention to your body's hydration level. Dehydration can severely affect your health and all vital body functions. Water also acts as a natural lubricant for your joints, and its absence can lead to movement disorders, bone pain and muscle problems. In addition, drinking water helps eliminate potentially dangerous toxins from the body.

Water balance: When considering hydration levels, the water balance, which is the ratio between the water we lose and the water we take in, is taken into account.

To determine the water balance, the water provided by food and beverages ingested is calculated, as well as losses through feces, sweat, urine, among others.

This balance can be affected by the amount of exercise we do, our daily activity, the temperature of the environment, among other factors. For this reason, several studies have been conducted to determine the average amount of water a person should drink daily.

How much water we should drink: As mentioned above, the amount of