DRINK UP!
With summer soon upon us, now is the time to increase our water intake! We often forget, especially children, to increase our water consumption in the warmer months. I personally, live in a very warm climate and as soon as it starts warming up I feel instantly dehydrated. I have to adjust to the new warmer temperatures by increasing my water intake drastically. Even in milder climates summer months bring the need for more water.
A great idea is to purchase a large glass water cooler with a spout and fill it daily with fresh water, ice and fruit and then leave it out on the counter for easy access. This will entice the kids to keep drinking.
Water is great but electrolytes are needed also to replace lost sodium in sweat. A great electrolyte drink is called Rehydrate. Rehydrate Drink has a 1:1 ratio of sodium and potassium, two of the most vital electrolytes that are lost when we sweat. Rehydrate Drink helps prevent cramping by providing calcium, magnesium and L-glutamine to support the contraction and relaxation phases of the muscles. It also has no high fructose corn syrup and has a low glycemic index with only 40 calories and 6 grams of sugar. This superior sports drink comes in 5 great flavors and is in powder form that is easy to add to 8 oz of water.
How much water do you need? For every pound of sweat you lose, you need to replenish with 1 pint of water.
What does being well hydrated mean? A person who perspires heavily will need to drink more than someone who doesn’t perspire much. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, may also mean you need to drink more water. People with cystic fibrosis have high concentrations of sodium in their sweat and also need to use caution to avoid dehydration. And some medications can act as diuretics, causing the body to lose more fluid. Thirst isn’t the best indicator that you need to drink. If you get thirsty, you’re already dehydrated, pay attention to the color of your urine. Pale and clear urine means you’re well hydrated if your urine is dark you need to drink more fluids. Not sweating during vigorous physical activity can be a red flag that you’re dehydrated to the point of developing heat exhaustion. This is a dangerous situation and would require medical attention. Remember hydration isn’t just important during physical activity, sitting in the sun on a hot or humid day, even if you aren’t exercising, can also cause your body to need more fluids.
So drink up this summer, stay hydrated and have some fun in the sun!
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Sources=American Heart Assoc. “Staying hydrated, staying healthy” viewed May 11, 2015. Advocare.com “Rehydrate Sports drink” viewed May 11, 2015