What Happens If You Drink Too Little? You Need to Know

How Much Should You Drink Daily?

The rule that you should drink two to three liters of water a day is now considered obsolete.

• Experts from the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) recommend drinking at least 1.5 liters of water a day. However, this is only a guideline.
• If you drink a little less, you will not suffer any direct damage. In the long run, however, you should not consume less than 1.5 liters per day.
• Even those who drink more are healthy. However, it is better to spread out large amounts of water throughout the day and not all at once.
• In exceptional situations, for example when it is very hot or when there is a lot of physical exertion, the body can even tolerate up to ten liters of water a day.
• As a rule of thumb, divide your body weight by 30. The result is the number of liters you should be drinking per day. For example, if you weigh 60 kilograms, you should drink around 2 liters a day.

What happens if you drink too little?

If you drink too little, this can have health consequences:

• Headaches and dizziness: If there is not enough liquid in the body, not enough oxygen can be transported to the brain. The result is headaches and dizziness.
• Poor concentration: The insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain also leads to difficulties concentrating. You should therefore drink a lot, especially before important appointments or when driving.
• Feeling hungry: Dehydration leads to cravings. The cause lies in the liver. If there is a lack of liquid, it signals a deficiency to the brain.
• Dry skin: When there is a lack of fluids, the body gives priority to supplying the vital organs. As a result, the skin becomes dry. This phenomenon can usually be seen initially on cracked lips.
• Diseases: Permanent lack of water means that toxins are not “flushed” out of the body. The result can be a wide variety of diseases.
• Pain: Pain, such as back pain, can also be caused by a lack of water. A lack of fluid in the body can lead to blockages that trigger cramps and tension.

Surf tip: drinking bottle test

If you find it difficult to drink regularly and sufficiently, it often helps to always have a filled water bottle with you.

• Unfortunately, especially with drinking bottles, you often only know afterward whether you made a bad purchase.
• In the detailed test report, you will find a large selection of models for different user needs. You can also read which bottle performed best overall, as well as lots of other information that can help you make a purchase decision.