Sunday, May 16, 2010

Drinking Habits and Dehydration

We drink soft drinks, sport drinks, energy drinks, vitamin waters, juice, milk, tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages. These popular drinks may be enjoyable but are they providing the adequate body hydration that is the foundation of health and vitality? The answer is no.

Soft drinks, both colas and uncolas, have no real nutritional value. Acids are used to carbonate soft drinks and chemicals are often used to flavor these beverages. Damage to your teeth may occur. Bones may weaken with extensive use. Carbohydrates in soft drinks slow down the absorption of water in the body. Soft drinks promote weight gain. The diet soft drinks contain unhealthy sweeteners and additives.

Coffee and tea, both diuretics, tend to promote water loss. A diuretic is any substance that tends to increase the flow of urine, which causes the body to get rid of excess water. The term diuretic suggests that the kidneys are required to take more water out of your bloodstream even as you are taking water into your digestive system by drinking. If you add milk, sugar, or chocolate to your coffee or tea, the rate of water absorption is reduced even further.

Alcohol consumption dehydrates your body. Alcohol promotes water loss by depressing production of the anti-diuretic hormone called vasopressin. Vasopressin acts on the kidneys. It concentrates the urine by promoting the reabsorption of water and salt in the body. Vasopressin helps to regulate the concentration of fluids in the body. Interference with its function leads to an increased loss of body fluid from urination, which can lead to dehydration.


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