Stay hydrated during Ramadan

Water is the essence of nature and life. You can survive without food for weeks but that’s not the case with water. It is the most important fluid that can replenish your thirst during the holy month of Ramadan. Unfortunately, though, most people do not realize that as they only drink water to break their fast at Iftar then ignore it until the next day!

WHY DO WE NEED WATER?

Did you know that water makes up 60%-70% of your body? It does! That’s why any reduction in your water intake can affect your body’s cells and nerves from functioning properly. It is essential to compensate the loss of water in your body, especially during Ramadan. Dehydration can cause undesirable side effects such as: constipation, headache, dizziness, tiredness and dry skin. In severe cases of dehydration, you might get more serious complications like kidney problems and seizures which means you’ll have to break your fast if you are that dehydrated.

WHY IS WATER THE BEST FOR THIRST INSTEAD OF OTHER RAMADAN DRINKS?

Water is absolutely the best drink to deal with thirst during Ramadan, and this is because:
Unlike water, other drinks contain a lot of sugar and can result in you consuming extra unnecessary calories;
Drinking too much of the Ramadan drinks and other soft drinks will fill up your stomach and may delay your digestion process resulting in a lot of problems including gas, bloating, stomach pain, and weight gain.

GOOD TO REMEMBER

Water plays a significant role in weight loss and maintenance, because it helps to get rid of toxins and reduce the feeling of hunger. Therefore, it is important to drink small quantities of water throughout the night.

HOW TO PREVENT GETTING THIRSTY DURING RAMADAN

If you are worried about thirst and dehydration, we have for you a few tips that will help you stay hydrated during Ramadan and control your thirst during fasting. You should also know that that the food that you eat plays a major role in controlling your thirst while you are fasting:

1. Drink at least eight glasses of water every day. If you are exercising in hot weather, you lose more fluids, so make sure you drink more water.
2. Avoid hot and spicy dishes as it increases thirst.
3. Do not add too much salt to your food.
4. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables because they are rich in water and fibre. They stay in the intestines for a long time and reduce thirst.
5. Drink fresh fruit juices rather than sweetened juices.
6. Try not to drink large quantities of water all at once or a lot during a meal. Instead drink water between your meals and throughout the day.

GOOD TO KNOW

Drinking iced water to break your fast does not replenish your thirst but can cause your blood vessels to contract and cause indigestion. For this reason, it is recommended that you drink water at room temperature or slightly cold if you prefer to.

Reference:  www.nestle-family.com/en/article/stay-hydrated-during-ramadan