Study Finds People in Spain Don’t Drink
Enough Water
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| Its a fact, we all need to drink more water |
As the temperature in Spain continues to rise for the
summer, there’s a strong urge to throw yourself into the nearest body of water.
There’s also the temptation to find a sweet shaded spot and enjoy a chilled wine or a fruity sangria.
Such are the simple pleasures of life in Spain that have
been embraced by the Spanish and expats alike. Heat also brings dehydration
however, and a recent study by the Spanish Royal National Academy of Medicine
has discovered Spanish men and women aren’t getting enough water. The issue
could quickly give rise to serious health problems down the line.
The study showed that less than one in five Spanishresidents was getting the daily recommended amount of 2.5 litres of water per
day (for men) or 2 litres of water per day (for women).
The snarky among you might comment that they drink more than
2 litres of beer in a few hours, but the truth is wines and spirits, and even
tea and coffee, are diuretics. This means that they cause you to pee more,
leaving you dehydrated rather than rehydrated.
The way to stay hydrated is to drink juice and water, but
the study showed that the average Spanish man drinks 1.7 litres of water a day,
while the average woman consumes 1.6 litres.
Both sexes can expect to be left feeling tired and
dehydrated when consuming just 20% less than the recommended amount. This can
impair their work performance and increases the risk of a fatal road accident.
Being thirsty is a prime sign that your body is already
dehydrated. It shouldn’t be considered a sign that you’re good to crack open
another beer and drink some wine.
There’s no need for things to stay this way however. Spanish
tap water is completely safe to drink, and can actually be quite delicious – as
long as it’s not from Majorca! Bottled water is cheap and plentiful in Spain as
well. If you feel that 2 litres of water is just too much, then remember that
it’s just four bottles of 500ml or three pints of water. Anyone can fit that
into their day.
It’s also worth keeping an eye on the colour of your urine.
Yellow urine – to the point it’s darker than straw – is a sign that you’ve
become dehydrated and should grab a glass of water.
Staying hydrated is a major issue in Spanish summertime, when being dehydrated can lead to sun and heatstroke, especially as the temperatures reach up to the mid-30s; which they do every single Spanish summer
