6 signs you are not drinking enough water

We all know that drinking water is good for our health, but how many of us really make the effort to drink enough water? Besides, with so many other easily available tasty alternatives such as bubble tea, smoothies and coffee beverages, water can seem tasteless and boring to drink.

However, while those drinks may taste good, they don't have the same kind of health benefits as plain old water. Need more convincing? Here are the ways your health will be affected if you don't drink enough water.

YOU FEEL TIRED

If you feel fatigued and sluggish even after having a good night's sleep, chances are you are not drinking enough water. Why? It's simple - we'll break it down for you.

A lack of water leads to thicker blood, which then interferes with the transport of oxygen and nutrients in your body. The lack of oxygen hence leads to lethargy. So if you are feeling sleepy at 4pm in the afternoon, you now know why!

YOU FEEL THE HUNGER PANGS MORE OFTEN

Do you still feel hungry even after a full meal? Well, it is most probably because you're not drinking enough water. When your body is dehydrated, it might think that it needs food and causes you to crave for that extra serving of fries. So try drinking a cup or two after every meal before running to get a snack!

YOUR PEE SMELLS

This might sound gross but it's the #truth. The colour of your urine is a surefire way to tell whether you are drinking enough water. If it is dark yellow or, even worse, dark brown, you are definitely dehydrated. Not forgetting, a lack of water makes your pee smell nasty - like ammonia.

A healthy urine colour is a light yellow or even clear so the next time you pee, remember to take a peek!

ALSO READ: How much water you should drink every day, according to experts

YOUR SKIN IS DRY

Dry skin is one of the earliest signs that you are not drinking enough water. Your skin needs to stay hydrated all the time and a lack of water will affect your body's ability to sweat and eliminate the excess dirt and oil. Drinking water will ensure that your skin will stay hydrated and healthy all day long!

YOU GET SICK MORE OFTEN

Drinking water is essential in filtering and flushing out the toxins in your body. So if you get a headache or feel dizzy often, you probably need to drink more water.

YOUR BREATH IS A LITTLE BAD

Bad breath is the ultimate conversation killer. Imagine opening your mouth to speak, only to see the other party cringe. Keeping your mouth moist will help to wash away bacteria and food particles stuck within your teeth. So drink more water to keep bad breath at bay!

This article was first published in CLEO Singapore.