Surprising Dehydration Causes — How to Fix Them

Most people would say they are not dehydrated. They feel fine, they drink plenty of water, and they are not out running marathons in the July heat. The truth? 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated — and most do not even know it. Understanding the most common dehydration causes is the first step toward actually doing something about it. Here are twelve surprising reasons why you might be more dehydrated than you think.

Dehydration Causes You‘ve Never Considered

1. Diabetes. People who do not yet know they have diabetes are especially at risk. When blood sugar levels run too high the body tries to flush out excess glucose through increased urine output — taking your fluids right along with it.

2. Your period or menopause. Estrogen and progesterone directly influence your body’s hydration levels. When hormones are fluctuating you may need to increase your fluid intake. Heavy periods add another layer — the blood loss alone can deplete fluid levels significantly.

3. Prescription medications. Diuretics, blood pressure medications, and anything that causes increased urine output, diarrhea, or vomiting can quietly drain your hydration without you realizing it.

4. Low-carb diets. Carbohydrates are stored in the body alongside fluids. When you cut carbs, you drop water weight quickly — which sounds great until you realize your hydration levels drop right along with it.

5. Stress. When your adrenal glands are constantly activated, they become exhausted. The aldosterone they produce helps regulate fluid balance in the body. As adrenal fatigue sets in and aldosterone drops, it triggers both dehydration and low electrolyte levels.

6. IBS and digestive issues. Anything that causes nausea or diarrhea — including IBS — can lead to dehydration. People also tend to eliminate foods they think are triggers and if those foods happen to be fluid rich that compounds the problem further.

7. Aging. As we age our ability to conserve water declines and so does our sensation of thirst. It becomes easier to become dehydrated and harder to tell when fluid levels are running low.

8. Certain supplements. Some supplements naturally increase urine output — parsley, celery seed, and dandelion are common examples. They are not bad supplements at all, but make sure you are replacing those fluids when you take them.

9. Not eating enough fruits and vegetables. High-protein, carnivore, and low-carb diets are popular right now, but many of them cut out the fluid-rich foods your body depends on. If that sounds like your diet, make sure you are compensating with extra water throughout the day.

10. Electrolyte imbalance. Drinking water is essential but it is not always enough on its own. Your body needs potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium to stay properly hydrated at the cellular level. When you drink heavily filtered or purified water with all minerals removed you can become dehydrated even while drinking plenty of water.

11. Drinking too much water at once. This one surprises people. Chugging a large amount of water in one sitting does not work the way you think. Your body simply cannot process that much water at once and you end up urinating out the excess along with your electrolytes.

12. Drinking the wrong beverages. Coffee, sodas, alcohol, and energy drinks are all diuretics. As much as we love them for a quick energy boost, they work against your hydration goals and, unfortunately, cannot count toward your daily fluid intake.

How to Fix Dehydration Before Your Summer

Now that summer is here and temperatures are rising, staying on top of hydration takes a little more intention. Here are some simple habits that make a real difference.

Carry a water bottle with you at all times and drink consistently throughout the day rather than all at once. Do not rely on thirst alone — hormone levels and health conditions can quietly mute those signals before you even notice them.

Eat fruits and vegetables with high water content and natural electrolytes. If your diet limits those foods, make sure to compensate with extra water.

If you drink filtered water, you are stripping out the good along with the bad. Add back what your body needs by remineralizing with Trace Minerals ConcenTrace drops — a simple and effective way to restore what filtration removes.

Add at least one serving of a quality electrolyte powder to one or two bottles of water each day. There are so many options now — different flavors, different formulas, low sugar and no sugar versions — so there is truly something for everyone. Not a fan of powders? Try Leisure canned electrolyte drinks — delicious, low sugar, and ready to go right out of the fridge.

Tackling the most common dehydration causes does not have to be complicated. We carry The Only Earth Hydrate electrolyte packets in store and online — available in a variety pack or individually, so you can find your favorite. Stop in and ask one of our associates — we would love to help you find the right fit for your summer!

This information is for educational purposes only. Please consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new health regimen.

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