How Are Hunger and Hydration Linked?

As kids, we instinctively know to ask for a snack when we are hungry and a drink when we are thirsty.  Thanks to poor diet and drinking habits, however, most of us gradually lose the ability to differentiate between the two over time.  As a result, many people eat when they are in need of hydration or pound water and soda when their bodies are craving the sustenance of food.  In truth, hydration and hunger are related, but knowing how to tell the two apart is very important.

Hydration is essential to the human body.  Water fuels the body and actually makes up the bulk of our cells.  Without proper hydration, our bodies are unable to function properly, and everything from digestion to hormone regulation can be disrupted.  This is why doctors are quick to stress the importance of drinking at least sixty four ounces of water every day.

When you are properly hydrated, your body can properly let you know when it is in need of food.  Hunger pangs are unmistakable when your body is properly hydrated, and you will be able to eat just enough food to keep your body happy without taking in more in an effort to hydrate yourself with the water the food contains.  This can be tremendously beneficial in many aspects of your life.  Proper hydration can aid in weight loss, improve bodily function, and make it easier for the body to get rid of toxins. 

If you are unsure about the link between hydration and hunger, try taking in more than sixty four ounces of water (6 full glasses) every day for a week.  You will find that your body is automatically much more responsive, you feel more awake and less irritable, and can better react to a variety of conditions.