Why do we confuse hunger with thirst?

The confusion between hunger and thirst is a common phenomenon that affects many of us, often causing us to eat when our bodies actually need water. But what is behind this confusion? Is this a natural biological mechanism, or does the modern lifestyle contribute to the problem? Let's delve deeper into this topic from a scientific point of view and address the meaning for our health.

The confusion between thirst and hunger: the central hypotheses

One of the main hypotheses for the phenomenon is related to external disturbances such as the consumption of table salt and white sugar. These substances affect our taste buds, change our sensitivity to the feeling of thirst and may trigger a desire for food even when the body needs fluids.

In addition, the quality of the water we consume affects the motivation to drink. Water with an aftertaste, which sometimes originates from unbalanced minerals or chemical purification processes, causes people to drink less, out of a sense of discomfort or lack of interest. When the body does not receive enough water, it may "trick" us into feeling hungry, as a means of trying to compensate for the need for fluids through food.

The relationship between dry food and dehydration

The food we eat has a direct effect on the fluid balance in our body. Dry food, which today makes up a large part of our menu (such as breads, crackers, and snacks), requires the body to release a lot of fluids in order to digest it and create moist feces. It is important to know that healthy feces contain 75% liquids, and when we eat dry food in large quantities, the body is required to draw liquids from its reservoir to ensure proper digestion.

The result? The body dries out even more, and we may interpret the need for water as hunger, which leads to more eating instead of drinking. Thus a cycle is created in which the food dehydrates the body, and we dehydrate it even more through excess consumption of food that does not provide fluids.

Dry mouth: a warning sign

According to Dr. Batman Glej, a feeling of dryness in the mouth, which many tend to interpret as thirst, is actually an advanced sign of dehydration. At this stage, the body already lacks significant amounts of fluids. This confusion may cause us to continue eating food instead of drinking water, thus making it worse the state of dehydration.

What can be done?

1. Listen to your body: try to distinguish between a feeling of hunger and thirst. If you feel hungry, start by drinking a glass of water and see if the feeling goes away.
2. Prefer foods rich in liquids: fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of liquids and provide natural moisture to the body.
3. Improve the quality of your water: clean water, mineral balanced and free of aftertaste will encourage you to drink more.
4. Reduce dry food: try to reduce consumption of processed and dry foods in favor of foods with natural moisture.
5. Create a routine for drinking: set regular drinking times during the day, even if you don't feel thirsty.

In conclusion

The confusion between hunger and thirst is not only the result of modern habits but also of physiological mechanisms related to nutrition and the quality of the water we consume. By being aware of the real needs of the body and changing our drinking and eating habits, we can maintain a better fluid balance and improve our overall health.