Firstly, can we all agree it’s so hot out right now? We definitely need to stay hydrated in this heat. We’ve had record-breaking consecutive days over 115 degrees in some areas! You’ve probably heard the conventional recommendation of drinking 8 glasses of water per day to stay hydrated. You may have also seen this trend of chugging gallons of water daily. I haven’t seen any science to support this recommendation. And most importantly, this suggestion is missing a key piece of information: the ability to stay hydrated lies in more than just drinking water, and water alone.
BALANCING ACT
If you’ve every tasted your own sweat (either by accident cuz you’re sweating too much, or you just love licking your own skin ⏤ no judgement here, do you boo!). Anyways, you’ve probably noticed it’s salty, right? That’s sodium! Sodium, believe it or not, is an electrolyte. It’s a mineral with many purposes in the body. One of which is to regulate fluid balance, which is important for hydration. Deficiencies in sodium can cause headaches, muscle cramps, fatigue and insomnia. And sodium is not the only electrolyte that is important for hydration. There is also potassium and magnesium. Deficiencies in either of these electrolytes can cause headaches, low energy and muscle cramps. So, when you sweat, you are not only excreting fluids, but you’re also excreting your electrolytes (same goes for when you pee)! So, when you drink water to replenish those fluids lost by sweat (or pee), you also need to replenish your electrolytes. Otherwise you are just depleting your body of electrolytes.
READING THE NUTRITION FACTS
Obviously, there are sports drinks out there. If you are going to go that route, please read the nutrition facts! A lot of them don’t actually contain a lot of nutrition, they are just facts lol. Make note of the values for sodium, potassium and magnesium ⏤ and also sugar! These drinks are mostly sugar, which is not an electrolyte. So here are 5 easy recipes, what I drink to stay hydrated. And if you enjoy easy recipes like these, might I tempt you with easy DIY recipes for the home and body?!
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Citrus Salt hydration drink
Here’s what you’re going to need:
1 cup of filtered water
1 cup of organic coconut water
the juice of 1 lemon
the juice of 1 lime
1/4 tsp of pink Himalayan sea salt
1 tbsp of maple syrup
How to make:
Add to a glass and stir to combine. Then enjoy!
Cucumber Lime hydration drink
To a blender, add:
1 cup of filtered water
2 cups of organic coconut water
the juice of 2 limes
1 medium organic cucumber
1/4 tsp of pink Himalayan sea salt
1 dropper of stevia leaf
How to make:
Blend, pour, and you’re done!
Strawberry Lemon hydration drink
To a blender, add:
1 cup of filtered water
1 cup of organic coconut water
the juice of 1 lemon
1 cup of organic strawberries
1/4 tsp of pink Himalayan sea salt
1 dropper of stevia leaf, or your natural sweetener of choice
How to make:
Blend, pour, and it’s ready!
Watermelon Mint hydration drink
To a blender, add:
2 cups of organic coconut water
the juice of 1 lime
2 cups of organic watermelon, cubed and without the seeds
1/4 tsp of pink Himalayan sea salt
1 handful of organic mint leaves
How to make:
Blend, pour, and it’s ready!
Electrolyte water hydration drink
Here’s what you’re going to need:
3 cups of filtered water, or less depending on your taste
1 scoop of electrolyte powder
How to make:
Add to a glass and stir to combine. That’s it! No excuses not to stay hydrated now!
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