Understanding Our Thirst

by Midas

thirst

An average individual loses approximately more than two quarts of water in a single day through our skin by sweat, in our breath, in the urine and in the stool. Now, how are we able to determine if our body needs water? How will we know that we need to take in water in order not to be dehydrated?

Thirst, the basic instinct of humans and animals to drink, is an important mechanism involved in our body’s fluid balance. It has been observed that when we are thirsty our mouth and throat feels exceptionally dry. Generally, it is believed that fluid intake is regulated by central nervous system, in the hypothalamus. It has been found out that if the level of osmolites like salt in the body increases and, or if there is a lack of fluids, the hypothalamus sends thirst messages. After drinking, the chemical balance returns to normal and it signals back to hypothalamus, thus inhibiting the thirst drive.

What will happened if there is no thirst to signal us that our body needs water? Interminable or continual dehydration may cause thousands of problem to our body for we all know that our body is composed of more than 60 percent of water. The most often problems are associated with neurological and kidney problem.

Will you wait until your body will signal you a thirst to take in water for you not to be dehydrated? Why not take an initiative, a simple schedule when to drink water to attain the 8 glasses requirement of our body will help a lot.