Your glass is half empty? Time for a refill

Water is portrayed as a fountain of youth and yet we often don’t drink enough of it. But how much water per day should we pour ourselves and what happens to our cells if we don’t drink enough of it?

As we all know, beauty comes from within. In other words – beauty comes from the inside of our water pipes. This is where the wonderful elixir flows that promotes the vitality of our skin. Water is the foundation of a healthy body and healthy (skin) cells – after all, we consist to 70 percent of water.

Each of us has their own fountain of youth at home and can refresh themself with it: Honestly, most of us are in need of a little reminder to drink more water. But it’s quite simple: when your glass is half empty, simply refill it. We don’t just mean that metaphorically, but literally: Just put a full carafe on the table, refill the glass from time to time and refresh yourself. Putting a big carafe or bottle of water on your desk can be a little reminder if you keep forgetting to drink! Another tip: enrich the water with herbs such as basil, fruits like berries or selected gems. That way your fountain of youth looks even more appealing.

But now to the important question: How much water do we actually need to feel fit and healthy? Doctors recommend about 2.5 litres per day for an adult. We need 30 to 40 millilitres of water per kilogram of body weight. When we workout or sweat due to high temperatures we need even more water. One litre of sweat means drinking 1 litre more. If we drink too little water, our body reacts quickly: above all, we feel weak – the maximum performance that our brain and muscles normally achieve is reduced. Blood pressure and heart rate rise. Being fit feels different…

A lack of fluids is also evident visually: If the body lacks water, so do the skin cells. This can be indicated by a pale skin, which can also be rough and chapped. It is not surprising that little wrinkles can appear rather quickly. We all know that not drinking enough water also shows in the mirror. If our body does not get suffcient water our skin looks wan and tired . If our skin is well hydrated it looks radiant and healthy. Enough water also promotes the elasticity of the skin. Refilling our water glass therefore also helps to reduce cellulite and skin impurities and can also prevent varicose veins – no expensive anti-aging creme needed. But also when it comes to water, you can drink too much of it. The stomach can only transport about one litre of water per hour into the intestines. If you drink more than that, you’ll not only feel full, the consequences can be quite unpleasant. If more fluid is absorbed than is excreted, the water remains in the circulation and dilutes the blood. This reduces the salt concentration, which in turn can lead to muscle weakness, disorientation and further damage. A water intoxication is a disturbance of the water and electrolyte balance, which can be life-threatening. This can occur if one drinks several litres of water per hour.

For this reason, please drink enough and regularly, but also do not overdo it. And of course it does not always have to be water – unsweetened ice tea or herbal teas also serve the purpose. Everything is allowed, but you shouldn’t pour too much when drinking sugared and alcoholic beverages. And if it should be one or two glasses too many with the latter: try to also drink lots of water so you look and feel fresh the on next day!