Water is an essential part of human life, but the way we consume water is seldom discussed in our daily lives. Thus, it is paramount that we take the time to fully understand hydration and the positive impacts it can have on our bodies.
By Izzy Goodweather
Hydration is a key aspect to being healthy however chances are you probably aren’t drinking enough or hydrating correctly. If you want to become healthy and improve your day-to-day life, it’s important to stay hydrated.
A lot of people consider it a hassle to need to run the bathroom all the time and is a big reason for people not drinking enough water. Those same people will also find that their urine is darker when using the bathroom. This is a clear indication that you aren’t drinking enough water. Your body does this as a way to save water in your kidneys. This will also lead you to pee less when you have to go. People who hydrate correctly will have lighter, sometimes even clear urine because the yellow color in your urine is diluted. However, if your urine is strange or darker than normal you can look at your diet for food and medications with dyes that could have made you pee a strange color. Your body is 60 percent water so if you aren’t replenishing that part of your body, your body can’t function properly – like flushing out toxins and cooling down your body when it gets hot.
If you have now thought about your drinking habits and noticed that you might be dehydrated here are some tips to getting hydrated. A very common way for people to get hydrated is electrolyte drinks. However many of those drinks are high in sugars, salt, and calories that are unneeded and could be more detrimental than useful. So, electrolyte powders are a better way for people to get hydrated. Although, you still have to pay attention to which brand you choose. Nonetheless, these powders are good because they are usually high in minerals and antioxidants which will give you a more direct source of hydration and energy. Fruits and vegetables are also a great way for people to get hydration. This could be from smoothies, salads, and other creative ways for fruits and vegetables to be consumed in your diet.
Above is a chart with the highest fruits and vegetables water content for optimal hydration.
Now what’s important to discuss is what electrolytes are. Many people play with this term and never truly understand what it means. “Electrolyte” is an umbrella term for minerals found in things like potassium and sodium which are found naturally in the body. Electrolytes help with replenishing the muscles repair after a workout along with helping prevent future muscle tearing, muscle cramping during and after exercise.
When working out people are generally aware that they are supposed to drink more water than average. There are some tips that can optimize your pre, during, and post workout. Such as drinking around 8 oz of water 15 minutes before workout to get your muscles ready and flexible. During your workout it is important to drink 2-3 large gulps of water every 20 minutes. Post workout, you can weigh yourself and for every pound loss, drink an extra 16-20 oz, however doctors do not recommend weighing yourself every workout because it can lead to an unhealthy body weight image.
If someone isnt working out or just wants an average of how much to drink, it will vary per person. For an average man around 13 cups is recommended. And 8 cups for women who aren’t pregnant or breastfeeding is recommended. However if you are, it is recommended to drink 10 cups if pregnant and 13 if breastfeeding. Lastly if you are a teen you should be drinking anywhere between 8-11 cups every day.
In some scenarios, like being sick, you will need to drink more water. If you are excessively sweating, vomiting, or suffering from diarrhea, make sure you drink extra water since these are very common ways for people to not realize their hydration is low.
Make sure to keep this information in mind for a better and healthier day.