Summer is here.
The sun is out and the days are longer.
Whether you are lounging by the pool or hanging out at the beach, here are some tips to stay hydrated during these warm days.
1. Make sure to eat more fruits and vegetables with high water content, like watermelon, strawberries, grapefruit, peaches, and cantaloupe. Cucumbers, lettuce, zucchini, celery, and tomatoes are also excellent choices.
2. Make yourself a cold-brew tea. The variety of tea types and flavors available includes white, black, green, and oolong. The caffeine content of tea is usually half that of coffee. You can also find caffeine-free herbal teas and fruit teas.
3. Consume soups, ideally broth-based ones with sea kelp, seaweed, or sea vegetables for natural salt content.
4. Drink coconut water instead of fruit juice. Compared to fruit juice, coconut water has fewer calories and added sugars. It’s also high in potassium.
Drinking water that is best for you
Mineral Water
The mineral water in mineral springs contains sulfur, magnesium, and calcium. In people with low magnesium and calcium levels, mineral water may lower blood pressure. In other studies, mineral water has also been found to be beneficial for bone health.
Distilled Water
Water is distilled by boiling it, collecting and condensing the steam. Despite the fact that this may be beneficial in areas with contaminated water, distilled water lacks some beneficial minerals found in tap water and some other types of water.
Tap Water
Most of North America’s tap water is safe to drink. Over 90 different contaminants are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including E.coli, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium, lead, and some disinfectants. Some individuals use a water filter that removes residual contaminants and improves the taste of their water.
Spring Water
It is claimed by manufacturers of bottled spring water that it is bottled at the source, either from a spring or glacier. Ideally, it should mean that it contains relatively few contaminants. Lab tests performed by Environmental Working Group revealed that many popular brands of bottled water contain bacteria, antibiotics, industrial chemicals, and disinfectant byproducts.
Sparkling Water
People who want to consume more water often choose sparkling water. A natural sparkling water may contain minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, silicon, and strontium, as opposed to sparkling waters created by simply infusing tap water with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. There’s a good chance that the source of the bubbles in your sparkling water will be listed on the label, or on the website, of the product.
Electrolyte Water
Many athletes drink electrolyte water to replenish minerals lost through sweat, including sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. When you live in a hot climate, suffer from an illness that enhances dehydration (such as vomiting or diarrhea), or exercise intensely for an hour or more, this type of water may be beneficial.
Alkaline Water
Minerals in alkaline water contribute to its higher pH than tap water. The water must also have a negative oxidation reduction potential (ORP), which indicates whether it acts as an antioxidant or a pro-oxidant. It is more antioxidizing when its ORP value is lower.
Did you know? You’re already dehydrated when you realize you’re thirsty.
Healthy living requires staying hydrated. You should drink the recommended amount of water every day, regardless of whether you prefer tap water, mineral water, or sparkling water. Your thirst will be quenched along with maintaining key physiological functions, which will benefit your overall health.