Winter dehydration - spot the signs
Dehydration actually increases in winter months
It doesn’t make sense, but it’s true… you are more likely to become dehydrated during winter. In cold weather, the body’s thirst response diminishes by up to 40%, even when you are dehydrated.
The reason we are less thirsty is because our blood vessels constrict when we’re cold. This prevents blood from flowing to our extremities (hands and feet). The body works harder to maintain the body’s core temperature than maintain fluid balance when it’s cold. Therefore, the body is fooled into thinking it’s properly hydrated.
In addition, our body doesn’t signal to our kidneys to conserve water and therefore urine production increases. Your body requires you to drink more during this time to prevent a cold-induced condition called cold diuresis.
The symptoms of winter dehydration
The symptoms of dehydration might be harder to detect in winter. However, if you listen to your body, you should be able to notice the signs:
- Increased thirst
- Dark coloured urine
- Infrequent urination
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Lack of sweat, despite physical activity
Look out for the signs of severe dehydration, as reported in the Ithaca Journal:
“Severe dehydration is a medical emergency and can cause extreme thirst, extreme fussiness or sleepiness in infants and children; irritability and confusion in adults, little or no urination — any urine that is produced will be darker than normal, sunken eyes, shrivelled and dry skin that lacks elasticity and doesn’t ‘bounce back’ when pinched into a fold and feeling faint or passing out when rising from lying to sitting or from sitting to standing.”
Tips for staying hydrated in winter
During winter, it doesn’t matter if it’s hot or cold, you should just aim to drink more liquids. If you can, drink herbal tea instead of tea or coffee, as these can act as a diuretic. Filtered water is always the best option for your family.
Nutrient Reference Values Australia advises that adult men should drink 2.6 litres of water per day (about 10 cups) and adult women should drink 2.1 litres per day (about eight cups). Source https://www.nrv.gov.au/nutrients/water
Track fluid intake using an app
A great way to ensure you are drinking enough fluid throughout the year is to track it on an app. We recently reviewed and recommended the best apps to track your water intake. These four great apps are sure to keep you on track during the winter months.
Eat more water based foods
Did you know that you can stay hydrated from increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet? They offer a natural source of water, along with valuable vitamins and minerals.
Soup is also a hydrating food and great for those cold winter months. Add some vegetables and protein for a nutritious meal.
Drink before, during and after exercise
t seems obvious; however, you probably won’t feel like drinking much before you exercise in winter. The easiest way to stay hydrated during exercise is to make sure you carry a reusable water bottle with filtered tap water wherever you go.
Winter is a great time to invest in a home water filter system. Filtered water is the best option to ensure your family stays hydrated during the winter months.
Browse our water filter systems online today or contact our customer service team to discuss your water filtration needs.
Read more on the health benefits of filtered water
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& Water Filters Online
Inline Water Filter System
$299 - No separate tap or drilling needed
- Connects inline to cold-water hose
- No plumber needed
- 4x faster than traditional systems
- Lasts a family of 4 for 1 year
Bathroom Vanity Filter System
$199 - Compact for en suite bathrooms
- Space required 335mm x 225mm
- Mounts vertically or horizontally
- Works with your existing tap
- Protects tap from limescale build-up
Dedicated Filter Tap System
$329- Ideal if you like a separate filter tap
- Mount filter vertically or horizontally
- Filter lasts 12 months
- Same great taste
Replacement Filter Cartridges
From $60.66- WFA & Everpure cartridges
- Omnifilter cartridges
- Rainwater cartridges
- Fridge cartridges
Water Filters for Your RV
From $149- Easy installation
- Choice of three systems
- Significantly cheaper than bottled water
- Durable & long lasting
- Space saving
Counter Top System & Filter Taps
From $61.74- Ideal solution for people on the move
- No plumbing required
- Chrome plated
- Lever operation
- Suitable for WFA Filter Systems
WFA Replacement Cartridges
From $60.66 - Inhibits lime scale build up in water using appliances
- Environmentally friendly
- Removes particles 75 times smaller than the diameter of a hair
Rain Water Filters
From $35.24 - Ideal screen filter for sediment particles in excess of 80 microns.
- Typically used for filtration before or after a rainwater tank pump
RV & Marine Cartridges
From $60.66- Compact size
- Quick change cartridge – DIY
- Compatible with all Everpure ADC filter installations
Everpure
From $104.74- The Everpure 7CB5-K cartridge filters out particles between 1 and 5 microns in size. By way of comparison, the diameter of human hair is 75 microns.
- Contaminants reduced/removed include sediment, chlorine, bad tastes and odours.
- The filtration process also inhibits limescale build up in water using appliances.
Omnifilter
From $36.93- The 1100R is the half micron ‘quick change’ replacement cartridge and is recommended for use with the Omnifilter CBF2 water filter system.
- Removes/reduces the following contaminants and substances; cysts such as giardia and cryptosporidium, chlorine, bad tastes and odours.
Fridge Filter Cartridges
From $71.72- Contaminants removed include chlorine, bad tastes and odours with some sediment removal/reduction.
- The cartridge inlet and outlet include ¼” ‘push fit’ connection fittings.
- Environmentally friendly, reducing plastic bottle waste.
Specials
From $66.97- A 2 year supply*. Receive a reminder notification to change to your second cartridge.
- Larger quantities purchased receive a larger discount.
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Boiling is one of the oldest methods of making water safe, and for good reason. It quickly kills most bacteria, viruses and parasites that can be present in a supply. But boiling isn’t the only way people protect their water, and it certainly isn’t the same as filtering. The difference between the two is often misunderstood, and it’s bigger than it first appears.
Spring reset: Why filtered water should be part of your detox
Spring feels like the right time for a reset, which is why detox routines often make their way back into focus. While your efforts might centre on digestion, energy and general wellbeing, what you choose to drink plays a bigger role than you might think. Using filtered water gives your body the cleanest foundation to work from and the best chance of making those efforts count.
This is how often you should change your inline water filter cartridge
What you can’t see in your kitchen often does more work than what’s visible. No, we’re not talking about the fridge’s compressor, but the inline water filter tucked beneath the sink. It connects to your existing supply and uses a replaceable cartridge to clean water as it flows. A common question when considering one is how often the cartridge needs to be changed.