During these hot summer days, it is very important to stay hydrated.
Staying hydrated is very important for staying healthy and maintain the functions of every system including the heart, brain and muscles. The fluids in the body carry nutrients to your cells, flush bacteria from your bladder, and prevent constipation. People who don’t drink enough fluids risk becoming dehydrated. Dehydration can lead to serious conditions and problems ranging from headaches to life threatening illnesses like heat strokes.
How much water do I need?
The amount of water needed differs from person to person and depends on several conditions like weather conditions, exercise intensity, type of clothing, how much a person sweats, and if he is under certain medication.
A person who perspires more heavily needs more water than someone who doesn’t. Also people with certain medical conditions like diabetes, heart or kidney disease need to drink more water than others.
Thirst is not the best indicator of dehydration. If you are thirsty you are already dehydrated. Warning signs of dehydration include weakness, low blood pressure, dizziness, confusion, or urine that’s dark in color.
The easiest thing to do is to look at the color of your urine. The darker it is, the more fluid you need to drink!! So aim at a pale and clear color.
How to stay hydrated?
Water is the best drink to stay hydrated. Sources of water also includes foods such as fruits and vegetables that contain a high percentage of water. Sports drinks with electrolytes are good a great choice for people who do high intensity exercise and who sweat a lot.
Make sure to drink water with drinks that contain caffeine and alcohol since they are diuretics and make your body lose water.
Always listen to your body and drink water according to your needs, but not all at once. Drink water gradually throughout the day to allow the body to take up the water and stay hydrated all day long.