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Physiological Determinants of Fluid Intake in Humans

  • Conference paper
Thirst

Part of the book series: ILSI Human Nutrition Reviews ((ILSI HUMAN))

Abstract

Thirst, which can be intense and compelling, is associated with a dry, tacky, unpleasant-tasting mouth. Some of the oldest theories concerning the origin of thirst localize the urge to drink in the mouth and throat. Changes in the dryness of the mouth can affect thirst (Adolph, 1947), but water intake does not always depend on local hydration in the mouth and throat. This is clearly demonstrated in sham-drinking animals in which the oropharnyx is continually bathed with water, but the fluid drains out of the severed oesophagus and is not absorbed. Such animals drink continuously unless fluid is administered via the lower half of the oesophagus (Maddison et al. 1980). Such water would reverse fluid depletions.

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© 1991 Springer-Verlag London Limited

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Rolls, B.J. (1991). Physiological Determinants of Fluid Intake in Humans. In: Ramsay, D.J., Booth, D. (eds) Thirst. ILSI Human Nutrition Reviews. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1817-6_25

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1817-6_25

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-1819-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-1817-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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