What is hydration?

Why water matters

Water does several jobs in your body, and not drinking enough can make you unwell.

Water helps:

• control your body temperature
• cushion your joints
• protect your spinal cord
• your body get rid of waste

When you don't drink enough, you can become dehydrated, which can cause:

• unclear thinking and mood changes
• overheating
• constipation and kidney stones

In hot Indian summers, or when you're unwell, you lose water faster than you might realise.

What to drink

Plain water is the best choice.

These also count:

• milk, chaas, nimbu pani without much sugar, tea and coffee
• water-rich foods like cucumber, watermelon and oranges

You need more:

• in hot weather
• when you're active
• when you have a fever, diarrhoea or vomiting

Keep a bottle with you and drink with meals. Swapping sugary drinks and packaged juices for water also cuts empty calories, which helps if you're trying to lose weight.

Is hydration on a report?

Hydration isn't measured directly, but it can show up on reports: being dehydrated is one reason blood sodium comes back high.

Water is usually allowed even before a fasting blood test, so drink normally unless your lab or doctor tells you otherwise.