Hydration is essential for the proper functioning of the body. The body loses water when you sweat and urinate, and even through the passage of feces, so replenishing this supply is key.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine of the United States determined that the adequate daily consumption of liquid should be 3.7 liters for men and approximately 2.7 liters for women. This comes from water, drinks and food. Approximately 20% is provided by food and the rest by beverages that people ingest.
Water is the main component for vital organs such as the brain, lungs, heart, liver or kidneys to function; therefore, when consumption is low, serious health problems can occur.
The body has a water content that amounts to two thirds of its weight. “It is important that the body remains hydrated, that it maintains the correct level of water, to allow vital chemical reactions to take place and for nutrients to be transported to the organs and tissues,” says the health company Sanitas, from Spain, in their website.
But while keeping the body hydrated is very important, it is also key to take into account the type of drinks that are ingested, since not all of them are favorable for the body, due to their components. These are some of them.
Energetic drinks: They are characterized by not containing alcohol, but they do contain stimulating substances such as caffeine, taurine, vitamins, minerals, additives, flavorings and a large amount of sugar. These substances in excess are harmful to health and although they can provide energy at the moment, it is possible that in the long term they cause negative effects such as anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, anguish, gastrointestinal disorders, tachycardia and tremors, according to an article published In the diary The worldfrom Spain.
In addition, according to the Mayo Clinic research institute, energy and sports drinks are the main sources of added sugars and therefore limiting their intake favors the health of the body.
Isotonic drinks: many of these contain a mixture of natural and artificial sweeteners, in addition to a long list of additives, specifies the portal Directo al Paladar, from Mexico. It is advisable to minimize its intake, since it is the excess that causes complications in the body.
Sugary soft drinks: The American Diabetes Association notes that people who regularly consume sugar-sweetened beverages, one to two times a day or more, have a 26% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who rarely consume these products. The intake of this type of beverage also leads to other conditions such as obesity.
Alcohol: Alcohol can increase the risk of developing diseases even with moderate consumption. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, drinking this substance increases the risk of developing cancer of the head and neck, liver, esophagus, breast and colorectal.
The aforementioned source explains that “it is possible that the increased risk is related to two chemicals that can damage the DNA of healthy cells: ethanol, which is the main part of alcoholic beverages and acetaldehyde, which is made when alcohol is digested. for the body”.
Similarly, drinking alcohol can weaken your body’s ability to process and absorb important nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, D, E, folate, and carotenoids.
Fruit juices: Although these drinks are usually considered healthy, their negative effect is in the amount of sugar they provide to the body. Even though it is 100% fruit, the Harvard School of Public Health recommends limiting its consumption and eating fruit to avoid complications with blood glucose levels.