The more processed foods you eat—such as ice cream, mass-produced breads, cookies, and most breakfast cereals—the more likely you are to be dehydrated, since these foods tend to have very low water content. If you are fueling with processed foods, be sure to watch your hydration levels, as well.
This is because the excess starch you eat is stored in your body in the form of glycogen, and glycogen holds onto water, according to Rush University Medical Center. Further noted is that, after you eat, carbohydrates in your stomach can also retain water -- which may add to increased feelings of thirst.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, soda, or sugar-sweetened beverages because these can dehydrate you even more. If you have kidney issues, the foods on this list may not be right for you, and a healthcare professional may need to monitor your electrolyte and nutrient intake closely.
When you ingest carbohydrates and sugar, your pancreas releases insulin in order to combat the ensuing spike in your blood sugar. High insulin levels in the body, trigger your kidneys to hold onto water and sodium.
The more processed foods you eat—such as ice cream, mass-produced breads, cookies, and most breakfast cereals—the more likely you are to be dehydrated, since these foods tend to have very low water content.
Feeling dehydrated could be a sign that you're missing out on electrolytes which include sodium, chloride, magnesium and potassium and are necessary to deliver fluids to your cells. Excessive sweating after a workout can result in a loss of electrolytes for example.
Research shows that milk is one of the best beverages for hydration, even better than water or sports drinks. Researchers credit milk's natural electrolytes, carbohydrates, and protein for its effectiveness.
Bananas and avocados are rich in potassium, and many fruits are good sources of simple carbohydrates that, in the right quantities, can help your body absorb fluids and use later.
Plus, since whole carbs such as oatmeal, whole grain pasta, and brown rice all soak up water during the cooking process, eating them can actually increase your hydration levels.
There's no concern that water thins down or weakens down (dilute) the digestive juices or interfere with digestion. In fact, drinking water during or after a meal helps how your body breaks down and processes food (digestion). Water is vital for good health.
If you feel tired after eating bread specifically, chances are you're responding to changes in blood sugar or brain chemistry caused by higher levels of insulin. Gluten intolerance could also be a part of the response. However, many different factors have an influence.
A high intake of simple carbohydrates, such as premade white bread, can lead to weight gain and a higher risk for diabetes, heart disease, and other lifestyle-related chronic conditions.
Water is your best bet for everyday hydration, since it is free of sugar, calories, and caffeine. All of your daily food and beverages contribute to your daily fluid needs.
Drink an ORS Before Bed
Instead of drinking a glass of water, drink an oral rehydration solution like DripDrop ORS, which also contains electrolytes that are essential for hydration. Try to drink the ORS an hour or two before bed so you don't wake up in the middle of the night to use the restroom.
Rehydrating Your Body
It's recommended to drink at least 64 ounces of water every day. You can also receive the water you need from other beverages, fruits, and vegetables. Drinking coffee and tea in moderation can help contribute to hydration. Caffeine, however, can be extremely dehydrating.
Bladder inflammation: Because dehydration concentrates the urine, resulting in a high level of minerals, it can irritate the lining of the bladder and cause painful bladder syndrome, or interstitial cystitis. Frequent, urgent urination and pelvic pain are common symptoms.
There are many potential causes of dehydration, including vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, medication use, and more ( 2 ). For example, it's common to become dehydrated when you're experiencing symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and high fever.
The relationship between urine colour and hydration status
The issue is that, whilst urine colour can definitely be somewhat indicative of hydration status, there's definitely not a simple and linear relationship between actual hydration status and the colour of your pee.
For example, milk was found to be even more hydrating than plain water because it contains the sugar lactose, some protein and some fat, all of which help to slow the emptying of fluid from the stomach and keep hydration happening over a longer period.