Have you ever stopped to think that there are teas against dehydration ? This is because some of these drinks are rich in nutrients and the main compound to hydrate the body: water.

For those who don’t know, this liquid is the largest component of the human body. “At birth, water contributes approximately 75% to 85% of total body weight. This proportion decreases with age and the degree of adiposity”, explains nutritionist Creuza Nunes.

Therefore, a patient with dehydration has more water loss than water replacement. But how do you know if your body needs this liquid? Also according to the nutrition specialist, “ the sensation of thirst is an important sign for the consumption of liquids. ”

Below you can find the best tea tips to help fight dehydration. Then, you can understand a little more about this process that arises in the body and take the opportunity to learn about other forms of treatment.

Teas for dehydration

Lemongrass, fennel, chamomile and mint are the indications of nutritionist Creuza Nunes. According to the expert, these teas help fight dehydration because “they have natural antioxidants, are rich in minerals and have several properties.”

Among the effects of these drinks, Creuza cites diuretic, calming , antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and digestive actions . However, the professional warns that people do not substitute water for teas.

In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to how the infusions are prepared. “I suggest boiling the water first and then adding the herb leaves. Never boil the water with the tea, as you will lose the benefits and properties”, advises the nutritionist.

Causes of the problem

Dehydration is characterized by the low concentration of water and also of other liquids and mineral salts, such as sodium and potassium, mainly. As a result, there is an electrolyte imbalance in the body, marked by excessive loss and scarce replacement of these nutrients and elements.

“This can happen to anyone, but children and the elderly are more susceptible”, highlights the nutritionist. According to Creuza Nunes, the causes of dehydration can be simple or more complex.

“Mild dehydration is caused by insufficient fluid intake, ” he explains. In this case, the recommendation is the appropriate consumption of water and other foods rich in this liquid.

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However, other health conditions can contribute to the body’s lack of hydration. An example of this is diarrhea , which contributes to the loss of fluids and minerals.

“Abnormal conditions such as vomiting, fevers, excess urine or sweating and major burns result in large fluid losses with abnormal water and electrolyte deficiencies”, explains the professional.

In adults, water loss can also be associated with very strenuous exercise, which causes a lot of sweating. But they can also be causes of dehydration , skin irritation, diabetes and even exposure to heat , something very common in summer.

Types of dehydration

According to nutritionist Creuza Nunes, there are three types of dehydration, they are: isotonic, hypertonic and hypotonic. The difference between these categories is related to the type and amount of element lost from the body.

Check out the main characteristics of these types of dehydration below:

  • Isotonic:  This is the most common form of dehydration and is often found in young children. “It occurs when there is a proportional loss of water and electrolytes, which can happen through diarrhea and vomiting”, explains the professional
  • Hypertonic:  This type is characterized by water loss proportionally greater than the loss of electrolytes, very common in low water administration. In general, hypertonic is common in diabetic patients or those who have health problems such as diarrhea, prolonged fever or intense sweating
  • Hypotonic:  Unlike the above, in this case there is greater loss of sodium than water. That is why it is common to occur in “cases of very high perspiration, gastrointestinal losses or when replacement is done with just water, without salts”, says Creuza.

Symptoms

The main symptom of mild dehydration is the feeling of thirst. “However, the dehydrated patient may present clinical symptoms such as headache, fatigue, decreased appetite, dizziness, indisposition, concentrated urine, decreased saliva production, dryness and loss of skin elasticity as well as weight loss”, warns the specialist in nutrition.

Treatment

In addition to the use of teas, the patient must adopt other forms of treatment to combat dehydration. But according to Creuza Nunes, the treatment to be followed must be based on the type of dehydration presented by the patient.

“In most cases, the replacement of water and salts is done orally or intravenously with adequate amounts of water, mineral salts and glucose. In the most serious cases, the water or aqueous solutions can be replaced directly by the intravenous route”, he adds.

Also according to the nutrition professional, some natural drinks can also serve as a treatment for this problem. In addition to filtered water, Creuza recommends coconut water, sports drinks, fruit juice and whey.

All these techniques can “help in the process of replacing electrolytes that were lost in the dehydration process”, says the nutritionist.

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child dehydration

As already mentioned, children are more vulnerable to the body’s dehydration process. This is because this condition can be associated with health problems such as diarrhea, excessive heat, fever or vomiting.

Thus, those responsible must be aware of the possible symptoms that can arise in childhood dehydration. For example, dry mouth and cracked lips, yellow and strong-smelling urine, and irritability.

“If the child is younger than 6 months, the best way to prevent the onset of the disease is through exclusive breastfeeding . Older children should be encouraged to drink water frequently and consume fruits and foods with a greater amount of water”, concludes the nutritionist.

But either way, it’s important to get medical help. In this way, the pediatrician will assess the child’s case and recommend which path to follow for treatment. And, if that’s the case, you can also recommend teas to combat dehydration.