Is it good to rehydrate every 2 hours in winter?
According to Ms. Sanchi Tiwari, nutritionist, Lord's Mark Biotech, Mumbai, India, dehydration is a phenomenon that occurs when the amount of fluid in the body is reduced sharply. In winter, the state of dehydration is not as obvious as in summer.
Some social media content creators have recently recommended hydrating with a rule of drinking water every 2 hours during the winter.
"If you sleep for 8 hours a day, you will be awake for 16 hours. Drinking a glass of water every 2 hours during your waking hours will total 8 glasses of water," says Sanchi Tiwari, who asserts that the best way to know if you need to rehydrate is to listen to your body.
While dehydration is dangerous, drinking too much water can also cause problems, manifesting as water intoxication, says Sanchi Tiwari.
Water intoxication occurs when you drink so much water that your kidneys can't excrete it quickly enough, so your kidneys start to dilute electrolytes, mainly sodium, in your blood, Tiwari explains.
Drinking too much water can also increase blood pressure and slow the heart rate.
According to Sanchi Tiwari, there is a common misconception that people need to drink eight glasses of water a day. Since each person’s body and water requirements are different, we should only hydrate when we feel thirsty, as our bodies will naturally signal when they need water.
“Thirst is a reliable signal of your need for water. If you don’t drink enough water, your kidneys may not function properly, and your urine may be yellow or dark yellow, a sign of dehydration,” Tiwari explains.
How to prevent dehydration in winter
Enjoy warm drinks: Choose warm drinks like hot chocolate, herbal tea or even warm lemon water to keep your body hydrated and comfortable.
Eat lots of juicy fruits: Eat fresh winter fruits and vegetables that have high water content. You should consume these foods to improve your health.
Eat soup: You should eat warm soup in winter even if you are completely healthy. Soup provides essential nutrients and rehydrates the body.
Avoid dehydrating drinks: These include alcohol and caffeinated drinks, especially hot lattes. While they may seem like a good idea for cold weather, they are actually dehydrating.
