When a person does not drink enough water, electrolytes are lost. The body needs water to expel toxins and for lubrication for the digestive system to work effectively. Water has the power to balance the good bacteria in the stomach. Food poisoning, stomach flu, gastrointestinal distress and diarrhoea are all health complications caused by not getting enough water.
Velile Ndebele, registered nurse and colonist hydrotherapist I-ACT instructor said: “The most important organ for the process of human digestion is the stomach. The stomach secretes acids to break down proteins and sterilize foods. One of the most common acids is hydrochloric acid.
“If the pancreas does not have enough water to do its job, the contents of the stomach will not be allowed to move along.
Instead, they remain in the stomach, significantly slowing down the digestive process.”
When a person is dehydrated, it causes the abdomen to bloat due to the digestive system not being able to excrete waste.
“A colon without sufficient water will produce hard stools and become constipated. This can put pressure on the stomach. Constipation can also damage the colon lining.
“Without sufficient amounts of water the colon can also reabsorb its water reserves.
“Without clean water to utilize, it will use wastewater, which needs to be filtered through the liver and kidneys, which may place additional strain on these organs,” said Ndebele.
Getting enough water is imperative for gut health and if in short supply a person will experience constipation.
Ndebele said: “When water is in short supply in the body, the colon will restrict unnecessary water loss through the stools.
“The colon muscles contract to squeeze out the water and reabsorb it back into circulation.
“This can result in harder stools which are difficult to pass, and may irritate and weaken the walls of the colon.”
For many, dehydration becomes even worse on a night out and this is because alcohol acts a diuretic.
Alcohol decreases the production of an anti-diuretic hormone which is used by the body to reabsorb water.
A colon without sufficient water will produce hard stools and become constipated
Velile Ndebele, registered nurse and colonist hydrotherapist I-ACT instructor
The more alcohol consumed, so less of the hormone is available and more of the fluid needed in the body is lost.
Ndebele offers tips when drinking alcohol:
- Don’t drink on an empty stomach
- Take a teaspoon or two of olive oil before drinking to help protect the stomach membrane
- Drink a glass of water between each glass of alcohol
- Don’t drink to excess
Water makes up close to 60 per cent of the human body and a person needs it to keep the brain working at optimal speed, muscles to move efficiently and keeping the heart healthy.
The importance of hydration is often overlooked and it is recommended to have at least eight glasses of water a day.
Probiotics have also been proven to help with hydrating the body.
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