What’s the Least Dehydrating Alcohol?
Additionally, look for decaffeinated versions of your favorite caffeinated drinks or herbal teas. Chronic dehydration caused by alcohol consumption can have a significant impact on kidney function. The kidneys are responsible https://megapolisnews.com/top-5-advantages-of-staying-in-a-sober-living-house/ for filtering waste products from the blood and removing them from the body in the form of urine. When the body is dehydrated, the kidneys are unable to function properly, leading to a buildup of waste products in the blood.
For reference, a standard drink—12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of liquor—has 14 grams of alcohol, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [3]. If you’ve ever heard the term, “breaking the seal,” you Sober House know that alcohol has a diuretic effect on the body, meaning it causes you to urinate more frequently. The process is called diuresis, which on its own causes dehydration [1]. Consuming alcohol carries other health risks besides dehydration.
Use these social-bookmarking links to share Why does drinking alcohol cause dehydration?. Your body has detectors that can sense both the saltiness of your water, and the volume of the water. If these detectors reckon that you are dehydrated, they send a signal to the posterior pituitary gland, which starts pumping out ADH. The job of ADH is to stop you urinating, so you hang on to your precious water.
Sometimes you may just want to order a drink simply because you feel like having one (many of us regularly do so after work or on the weekends), and this is fine when done in moderation and with a few tips in mind. Sipping a cocktail while commuting home from a work trip or while en route to a vacation doesn’t carry a ton of benefits, but you can still enjoy a drink while flying if it’s a behavior that works for you. “If you have heart failure or issues with fluid retention, talk to your doctor about optimal fluid regimens to remain hydrated in hot or warm weather,” advises Dr. Fertel. It’s important to talk to your doctor if dehydration is listed as a side effect. Certain medications may make it easier for you to become dehydrated. People who are older, young children or those who may have a decreased thirst mechanism should be encouraged to drink liquids.