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Ask An Expert

Healthy Hydration

Toni J. Brayer

Toni J. Brayer, M.D.

California Pacific Medical Center

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

Question:

What are the health risks from not drinking water? My husband is terribly addicted to soda and any other drink that is not plain water. He drinks about a 1/2 cup of plain water a day.

Answer:

There is truly an epidemic of soft drink consumption in our country, and your husband needs to cut down or cut out his substitution of soft drinks for healthy beverages. The fact that your husband is drinking soda as his main beverage is of particular concern. Soft drinks are thought to be linked to the rise in obesity, and with 39 grams of sugar in each can, it can also cause Type 2 diabetes. The artificial sweeteners used in sodas contain excess phosphorus and can disrupt the calcium balance and cause bone disease and periodontal disease. Your husband may be getting a jolt from the caffeine also, which further contributes to loss of calcium in the urine.

The amount of water a person needs depends on factors like the weather, exertion and where you live. The body is made up of 60 percent water, so it is vital to carry nutrients to cells and remove toxins through the kidney. Even mild dehydration can make you feel exhausted. On average, your husband should consume about two to three liters of fluid a day. If he has a good diet with fruits and vegetables, note that they contain fluid that counts. Keeping bottled water with him can help ensure hydration throughout the day. Adding lemon or lime to water can also help get him in the habit of drinking more. Tea, juice and water all count as healthy fluids.

When you are well hydrated, the urine is colorless. It is healthy to produce about 1.5 liters of urine a day (seven cups) and less than that means you (or in this case, your husband) are probably not drinking enough water.

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