Consultant Dietitian Helen Bond, who is supporting Robinsons' campaign to help the nation #EnjoyMoreWater, shares what happens to your body and mind when you are not well watered:
Drinking too little can be detrimental to your body, here's why...
Fatigue: Thirst can disguise itself as tiredness and sleepiness. Even slight dehydration can leave you feeling tired and lethargic, slowing your body's reactions and making it difficult to concentrate - so drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day will help you feel more energized and alert.
Decreased mental performance: Our brain is made of 75% water, so it’s no wonder that insufficient hydration can have an impact on how our brains functions, influencing our mood, and making us more prone to being irritable and impatient.
Decrease in skin elasticity: Our skin is 72% water, so good hydration is essential in maintaining our skin's elasticity, a lack of water can mean skin loses tone and becomes dull and less firm in appearance.
Loss of memory: Allowing yourself to become mildly dehydrated with fluid losses of as little as 2% of body weight can have a negative effect on both your long and short term memory.
Makes you constipated: Adequate hydration keeps things flowing along your gastrointestinal tract and so, if your body is not receiving the water it needs, you are more likely to get constipated and bloated.
Greater risk of urinary tract infections: If you continually don¹t drink enough, you are at greater risk of urinary tract infections and also kidney stones.
Dry mouth: Water is an major component of saliva and so not drinking enough can make your mouth dry, and in turn may make you more likely to develop tooth decay through reduced salivary flow.
Increased stress and anxiety: Even low levels of dehydration can have a negative influence on stress, tension and anxiety levels. Things that you would normally take in your stride can make you feel overwhelmed or angry if you are suffering from even slight dehydration.
Dizziness: Don’t always think it is because you haven¹t eaten enough, not drinking sufficient amounts can also make you feel light headed.
