It’s summertime, the sky is clear, the sun is out, and it’s hot. Of course, you’re enjoying every single moment of it, with not a care in the world. But maybe there is something that you should be thinking about, and that is hydration.
One thing that we might not always put in mind is our hydration level. If this sounds like you don’t worry, you are not the only one. But it is something that you want to keep in mind. Not only this summer but all the time.
Sometimes, we don’t realize that our body is craving hydration, and when we don’t realize that we end up dehydrated.
What is Dehydration?
Dehydration is when your body doesn’t have enough water or fluids to carry out its normal functions. It essentially is the process by which you lose more fluids than you are taking in. And when you don’t replace the fluids that are lost, you feel dehydrated.
You might not catch the feeling of dehydration immediately. This is more common for the elderly and patients with chronic illnesses. But the reality is that anyone can be dehydrated.
Some of the most common causes of dehydration are
- Not Drinking Enough Fluid
- Vomiting & Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Increased Urination (especially during pregnancy)
- Fever
Signs Your Dehydrated
- Extreme Thirst
- Less Frequent Urination
- Dark-colored Urine
- Fatigue & Dizziness
- Muscle Cramps
- Headache
- Dry Mouth
- Sleepiness
If you are having any of these symptoms, then you might be dehydrated.
And if you want to know the symptoms of dehydration for infants and young children, check out this blog Prevention of Dehydration in Children
Importance of Hydration
You might not realize how important it is for your body to be hydrated. As I mentioned before, you might not initially realize that you are dehydrated. But when you realize it is important to get hydrated as soon as possible. Our body is very good at telling when fluids have left, and because of that, we begin to feel the consequences of dehydration almost immediately. Even if it just shows up in the color of your urine, it’s important that you catch it and hydrate.
What is the Best Drink for Hydration?
This next question is quite easy to answer, and truthfully you might already have the answer. The best drink for hydration is WATER.
Most people know that the next step is to drink water when they are dehydrated. That is because this is exactly what your body needs. Our body is made up of about 60% water. Water plays a huge role in the way that our bodies function. But before we get into that, what if you’re not the biggest fan of water?
Not everyone likes the taste of water, not that it has a “real” taste anyway. But maybe you’re dehydrated, and you don’t like water, what do you do then? There are other ways to get hydrated with and without water. So, let’s look at some of the options you have.
Consider putting something in the water. When it comes to rehydration, putting energy packets/ drops into the water is not recommended. That is because they have a lot of sugar, and that also leaves you with the feeling of dehydration. So, instead of sugar, add mint, cucumbers, and other fruits into your water to give it a little more taste.
You can also have Milk, Fruit Juice, Tea, Coconut Water, or Watermelon.
Choose which one will satisfy you and keep you hydrated.
Stay away from these drinks when trying to hydrated.
- Soda
- Beer, Wine, Liquor
- Hot Cocoa & Coffee
- Lemonade
- Sweet Tea
- Energy Drinks
- Flavored Milk (Strawberry & Chocolate)
- Smoothies
The Role of Water in The Body
As briefly mentioned before, being hydrated helps your body function the way it’s supposed to, and the main factor in this process is water. So, let’s look at some of the functions that water has on the body. Maybe that will convince you to rehydrate quicker than you usually do.
Water…
- Regulates the body’s temperature
- Keeps the tissues in the eyes, nose, and mouth moist
- Protects the body’s organs and tissues
- Helps to lubricate joints
- Dissolves minerals and nutrients to make them accessible to the body
- Assists with carrying oxygen and other nutrients to cells
- Assists your kidney and liver by removing waste products
Hydration Tips
Look at how many things water does in the body to help you function a little more smoothly. Now that you know that it is crucial to keep hydrated, here are a few tips:
- Remember the Signs of Dehydration
- Check your urine often. This is one of the fastest ways to know if you’re dehydrated
- Avoid or limit alcohol, sugar drinks & caffeine (or at least drink water after)
- Keep Cool. Regulating your body temperature allows you to retain water
- Eat more foods with high water content
- Replenish your sweat. That might sound weird, but just drink water after you work out or when you notice you’re sweating a lot.
- Drink Plenty of Water!
Resources
Mayoclinichealthsystem.org- Water: Essential to Your System
Usgs.gov- The Water in You: Water and The Human Body
Tasteofhome.com- The Best and Worst Drinks to Keep You Hydrated
