Why do people over 40 need to drink more water?

The amount of water you need to drink each day depends on many different factors. After the age of 40, people need to drink more water mainly due to changes in the body and the effects of daily medications, according to the health website Medical News Today (UK).

Because of the effects of aging, people over 40 need to drink more water.

Some studies show that from the age of 40, the kidney's ability to retain water decreases, making it difficult to maintain fluid balance in the body. This decline occurs more rapidly after the age of 65. This is one of the many reasons why older people are more susceptible to dehydration.

Another reason people over 40 need to drink more water is because they tend to take a lot of medications to stay healthy. Some of these medications can cause dehydration. For example, metformin and many diabetes medications have the side effect of making people urinate more often.

Additionally, laxatives can cause diarrhea, which drains water from the body. ACE inhibitors used to treat blood pressure and diuretics can both reduce the amount of fluid in the blood vessels, making the body more susceptible to dehydration.

Dehydration causes dry skin, rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, low blood pressure, and many other symptoms. For people with joint pain due to cartilage wear, dehydration will make the symptoms worse. The reason is that cartilage is made up of 80% water. When dehydrated, the body will mobilize water from the joints to maintain important functions. The result is more severe joint pain.

To ensure adequate hydration, people over 40 should drink water regularly, even when not thirsty. One of the warning signs of dehydration is the color of urine. Dark urine is often a sign of dehydration.

Experts recommend that an adult should drink at least 2 liters of water per day. If the weather is hot or you exercise, you need to drink more. In addition to filtered water, people can drink coconut water or smoothies, according to Medical News Today.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-nguoi-sau-40-tuoi-can-phai-uong-nuoc-nhieu-hon-1852409251448422.htm