How to Properly Hydrate

Hi all! Welcome to my second blog on how to properly hydrate. In this blog, I will, first and foremost, go over some common issues with hydration that most people aren’t aware of. Additionally, I will touch on various ways to hydrate, as well as address some common misconceptions regarding hydration. I fully guarantee that you’ll learn something new in this blog—so, without further ado, keep reading to learn more about hydration.

Please comment on this blog or dm me on my Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you have any questions – now let’s get into the blog!

Water Intake Problem

We currently have an issue with underconsumption of water. Women should be drinking 95 fl oz’s per day and men should be drinking 130 fl oz’s per day, (Medical News Today). You might be thinking adults probably drink almost that much- but you’d be wrong.  Did you know that on average, U.S. adults are drinking 44 fl oz’s per day? (CDC)

Benefits of increased water intake:

• Helps lubricate joints
• Helps hydrate cells and organs
• Helps with weight loss
• Helps with cognitive functioning

So- hydrating really is an actionable task that can improve our health.

Water Purification Problem

The second issue is the water we are consuming. All water consumed should be purified so that you’re not consuming heavy metal toxins. Consuming water with trace amounts of heavy metal can lead to illness, cognitive dysfunction, and slower development in kids, (Webmd). Ensuring you always drink purified water may be a hassle, but as you can see it’ll pay off in the long run.

Water Retention Problem

Water retention is a problem many people are unaware of. If minerals aren’t added to your water, your body will treat the water as a diuretic.

“Sodium is the most important electrolyte for staying hydrated. When it’s consumed, sodium hangs around the exterior of cells, where its positive electrical charge attracts water molecules into the bloodstream and tissues.” – Matt Fuchs

So – without added minerals, your cells can’t take in water properly. People are often overhydrated extracellularly (outside their cells) and underhydrated intercellularly (inside their cells). By adding minerals/electrolytes, your body will be able to properly use the water. We’ll learn how to add minerals/electrolytes to water in the next section.

How to Properly Hydrate Checklist

1. Make sure you’re drinking enough water per day (95 fl oz’s for women and 130 fl oz’s for men.
2. Anytime you consume water, make sure it’s purified.
3. When you drink water, add minerals.

Water intake options with electrolytes/minerals include:

• A small pinch of Himalayan pink salt in water
• Coconut water: Has natural electrolytes
• Maple water: Has natural electrolytes
• Lemon water: Has natural electrolytes
• Fruits or veggies: Can be used as a substitute for water because of fruits and veggies high-water percentage

In conclusion, proper hydration is essential for maintaining health and well-being. Many of us are unaware of the components of properly hydrating. By addressing underconsumption, ensuring our water is purified, and incorporating minerals to facilitate cellular hydration, we can make sure our water intake is optimal for better physical and cognitive functioning. Remember, it’s not just about drinking more water; it’s about drinking water the right way and ensuring our bodies can utilize it effectively.

I hope this blog has shed light on some hydration misconceptions and provided you with actionable tips to enhance your daily water intake. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or share your own hydration tips in the comments or on my social media. Together, let’s make hydration a priority in our lives!

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Lots of love,

Sources:

“Heavy Metal Poisoning & Toxicity: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-heavy-metal-poisoning. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.

Fuchs, Matt. “Do You Need to Take Electrolytes to Stay Hydrated?” Time, Time, 16 Sept. 2024, time.com/7020001/electrolyte-drinks-hydration-benefits/.