Why you NEED water…
All of our cells depend on water, without water we have no conductivity, water is essential to our life and our health.
We can go weeks without food, but only a few days (at most) without water.
We lose water through sweat, respiration, excreting urine and faeces, and other metobolic processes. And when we lose too much water or we’re not replacing at a sufficient rate, we get dehydrated.
Dehydration can exacerbate many of the symptoms of menopause, such as:
Digestive issues
Poor body temperature regulation
Headaches
Tiredness
Difficulty concentrating
Conversely, drinking enough water can help alleviate these (if they're due to dehydration).
How much is enough?
As we age we become less sensitive to thirst cues. So, for older people, drinking only when thirsty may mean not drinking enough.
Water intake is based on your body weight:
You should drink about 30 millilitres of water per KG of body-weight every day.
In addition, drink an extra 250-500 millilitres for every 30 minutes of exercise or activity.
While tea, coffee and sports drinks technically count toward fluid intake, you should still make a point of drinking plain water throughout the day.
Why is this important?
As a woman loses the support of estrogens, she dries out. The delicate vaginal lining, eyes, skin, and other organ tissues can all feel the effects. Drinking more water ensures that the protein-rich tissues of her joints stay lubricated and decreases her risk of soft tissue injuries.
Some other positives of good hydration…
Water helps hydrate tissues and lubricate joints
Water moistens food moving through your digestive tract
Water helps to plump your skin
Water can help manage appetite and decrease cravings