Observers of Ramandan need to take extra care to maintain hydration and electrolyte levels during fasting. It’s a time when even healthy people may lose weight, feel less energetic than usual, and be prone to digestive issues such as constipation and bloating. Over time, chronic dehydration can lead to dry skin, brain fog, stiffness of the joints, and fainting or fits.

Many people don’t realise that abstaining from food, rather than just water and other drinks, makes them prone to dehydration. On average, we get about 20% of the body’s water needs through digesting the food we consume throughout the day, so this deficiency needs to be addressed to avoid unwanted side effects and even serious health complications. 

Anyone observing a fasting period, whether for religious reasons or as part of a diet regimen, needs to pay careful attention to their hydration levels, because it is likely that they are losing more fluids than they are taking in. This is particularly the case for strict observers of Ramadan who abstain from drinking as well as food from dawn until dusk.

Dehydration not only makes us feel thirsty and lightheaded with an unpleasantly dry mouth, but it can also have more serious consequences. This is because we are not only depleted of water, but also of essential minerals known as electrolytes that are contained in bodily fluids. 

These minerals, such as sodium, chloride, calcium, potassium and magnesium help the body to regulate fluid levels, and they cannot be quickly replaced once the balance is upset. This is because even if you drink a lot of water, your body’s cells will be less efficient at absorbing it. 

Electrolytes serve other important functions in keeping the liver, heart, and muscles functioning properly. Symptoms of a possible electrolyte imbalance include mental fogginess or confusion, muscle cramps or weakness, numbness or tingling, slow or arrhythmic heartbeat, low blood pressure, vomiting or feeling sick, and tiredness and fatigue. 

Dehydration over a longer period of time can cause toxins to build up in the body, which can lead to digestive problems, unhealthy looking skin, dry eyes, and stiff joints. If it is very severe, it may even cause fainting, seizures, brain damage or death.