You may be drinking those required cups of water and stocking up on flavored water and watermelon. But do you still struggle to stay on top of your hydration game and find yourself unreasonably thirsty, especially after consuming certain foods? Well, it must be the frequent trips to the kitchen!
Your body is made up of almost seventy percent water which is why water is an essential component of your daily life. On an average day, depending on the environment you are in, you lose a lot of body fluids through sweat and urine. This is why it is important to replenish the lost fluids. But did you know that some of the foods that you consume may also be contributing to your dehydration?
These cause your body to demand more water after consuming them which makes you feel thirsty. Here are some foods that make you thirsty and reach out for that extra glass of water.
Related Reading: Benefits of Drinking Water in Maintaining Healthy Skin, Hair, and Nails.
10 Foods that Make You Super Thirsty
1. Caffeinated drinks
If you are someone whose hectic work day can be measured in the cups of coffee you drink, then you may have to cut back. Tea, coffee, and any drink with caffeine content can speed up dehydration. If you are already mildly dehydrated, a cup of coffee can leave you feeling parched. Caffeine is also a diuretic, which will make you want to urinate frequently. So, give your favorite café or the office coffee machine a wide berth, and stick to two to three cups of caffeine per day. This will ensure that you do not have a fluid imbalance and are not prone to dehydration frequently.
2. Fried and salty food
A packet of French fries or cheese-loaded fast food may seem like a reward at the end of a long work day or between hectic client calls. But processed food like fries, cheese, deli meat, etc. come with a very high sodium content. Your body will have to use a lot of water to flush this excess sodium out of your system causing loss of fluid, leading to your body sending thirst signals to your brain. So, limit the consumption of this processed food that makes you thirsty to keep your body adequately hydrated, especially in summer.
3. Alcohol
If you have experienced a hangover after a night of heavy drinking, then you know that along with a headache, you also feel parched and thirsty. Alcohol is highly diuretic in nature and the more drinks you down the more frequent your bathroom visits. This causes a loss of body fluids, eventually leading to fluid imbalance and dehydration. So, if you are planning a night of binge drinking, ensure that you keep yourself adequately hydrated along with limiting the number of drinks that you consume. Your body will thank you, the next morning.
4. Protein-rich food
A high-protein diet seems to be all the rage among fitness enthusiasts in current times. While a protein-rich diet is favorable for the body in numerous ways, it can also lead to dehydration. Proteins have naturally formed nitrogen in them, and your body ends up using more water to metabolize them. This will cause the cells to lose water. So, if you are on a high-protein diet, remember to hydrate yourself amply, and cut down on other foods that make you thirsty, so that your fluid balance remains optimal.
5. High-sugar substances
A sugary snack or a flavored drink may help you feel recharged, temporarily. But they increase the fluid loss in your body. Sugary drinks and food are believed to create an acidic environment in your body which hampers the enzyme functioning. They lower your body’s capacity to store water, which is needed to metabolize all the excess sugar. This will make your body dehydrated. So, limit your consumption of sugary substances.
6. Soy sauce
If you are a fan of Chinese takeaways like most people, it might be a good idea to limit them. Soy sauce which is one of the key flavoring sauces used in Chinese food is a main cause of dehydration. Soy sauce is basically salt in liquid form and may cause fluid imbalance. So, remember to have that extra glass of water next time you are enjoying your Chinese food and skip consuming any other foods that make you thirsty for the next few hours.
7. Asparagus and parsley
This healthy food may be the last thing that crosses your mind when you think of dehydration. Asparagus contains asparagine, which is a sulfurous amino acid that gives a strong smell to your urine. Asparagus and parsley are also diuretics in nature, which means you will end up visiting the bathroom, one too many times. This can lead to fluid loss which may translate to dehydration if not replenished. So, it may be a good idea to swap these with something like spinach, to lessen the load on your body.
8. Energy drinks
Energy drinks are basically sugary drinks with added caffeine content. This makes it doubly dehydrating when consumed. Both these ingredients contribute to fluid loss, and you end up feeling more thirsty than usual. So next time you feel that you need a pick-me-up, reach out for that tall glass of water. It might just do the trick.
9. Biscuits and cookies
Biscuits, apart from the fact that they come loaded with sugar, are also very dry by nature. The fact that they contain no moisture coupled with the sugar content lowers your body’s capacity to store water and creates a fluid loss. So, it’s best to consume these foods that make you thirsty in moderation and always with a hydrating drink like milk or water.
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10. Instant noodles
This popular food item is loved by people of all ages and is a savior during those late-night study times or binge-watching sessions. But apart from MSG and other harmful additives, instant noodles are also very high in sodium content. This can create an electrolyte imbalance in your body, and you may feel dehydrated. So, your body retains water, and you end up bloated. If you must indulge in junk food that make you thirsty, like instant noodles, make sure you keep yourself hydrated and ensure that you limit the consumption of such food.
As with most things in life, the key here is not to eliminate these food items completely but to balance consumption and supplement it with an adequate intake of water. This way you can indulge your cravings without the risk of getting dehydrated.
