Contents:
- Medical Video: Top Foods That Bloat You (Stomach and Face Bloating)
- What is the connection between a high-protein diet and the risk of dehydration?
- Why is that?
- Don't forget to drink plenty of water during a high-protein diet
Medical Video: Top Foods That Bloat You (Stomach and Face Bloating)
Protein is one of the important nutrients needed by the body to build and build muscle, support the immune system, and help regulate the production of hormones and enzymes. High-protein foods are also considered to be more filling. That's why many dietary principles encourage activists to consume more protein to reduce carbohydrates.But who would have thought, the habit of doing a high-protein diet can make you at risk of experiencing severe dehydration, even if done by fit-bodied athletes.
What is the connection between a high-protein diet and the risk of dehydration?
Reporting from Very Well, Nancy Rodriguez, a nutrition expert, said that the risk of dehydration is related to how much protein foods you consume. The more your protein intake, and the longer the duration of the diet, the higher your risk for dehydration.
A study from the University of Connecticut in 2002 found that high-protein foods increased levels of urea nitrogen in the blood. This finding was reported after observing 5 athletes who were given high-protein foods in stages, from68 grams of protein, 123 grams, and a diet high in protein 246 grams.
Shortly after consuming high-protein foods, athletes don't feel thirsty so they don't consume enough water. After testing, the levels of urea nitrogen in the athletes' blood show abnormal numbers.It was noted that urea levels in the blood of athletes could return to normal when protein intake was reduced.
Why is that?
Urea is a waste product from the digestion of protein from the food we eat. Protein contains nitrogen which the body cannot digest and must be removed. Before being released, the nitrogen will be converted into urea or also called urea nitrogen (BUN). Normally, urea will be filtered by the kidneys and then released with urine.
Healthy kidneys will remove BUN so that levels in the blood remain low. Apart from that, BUN also shows how good the body fluids are.
When you consume too much high protein food, BUN levels automatically increase.High levels of urea in the blood generally indicate that your kidneys are not working properly, which is characterized by a deep yellow urine - a typical symptom of dehydration.If it continues to be left on, this can lead to more severe dehydration, heat strokes, and disorders of the heart and blood vessels.
Don't forget to drink plenty of water during a high-protein diet
Fluid intakebadly needed to help the kidneys rinse excess urea and other nitrogen products through urine so the kidneys don't work too hard.
For those of you who are on a high-protein diet, make sure that your fluid intake is fulfilled, even if you don't feel thirsty. Also maintain your fluid intake before, during, and after exercise to maintain fluid balance and prevent the risk of dehydration.
You can consume drinks rich in carbohydrates and electrolytes which can reduce the risk of dehydration and hyponatremia. However, the choice of the best drinks is still water.
