by Patty
Our bodies are made of mostly water, and the proper balance of electrolytes and water can determine how some of our systems function, such as our nerves and muscles. There are many other reasons to keep adequately hydrated at all times too. The following are just some of the essential functions where water is needed in our bodies:
• Saliva and stomach secretions to help digest food.
• Sweat to remove toxins and eliminate body heat that is generated during exercise.
• Heart health – Keeping well hydrated means that your heart is able to pump more blood smoothly through your blood vessels to your muscles helping them remove waste so they can work more efficiently. In other words, the more hydrated you are, the less work your heart has to do.
Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body needs water to work properly. One of the best ways to keep hydrated is to be aware of dehydration symptoms which can include the following:
• Thirst
• Little to no urination or urine that is darker than usual
• Headache
• Sleepiness or fatigue
• Dry mouth
• Irritability
But you don’t have to wait until you have the above symptoms to drink water. Make sure that you hydrate frequently throughout your day. Water is the easiest and cheapest form of liquid used for hydration, but a lot of people look to sports drinks to hydrate, now who could blame them? They have the allure of bright, fruity colours and flavours that make them desirable and satisfying. Unfortunately, the promise of labels stating words like “natural” and “electrolyte” and “real fruit juice” can be very confusing and misleading. Sports drinks typically contain high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) as a sweetener, artificial flavours to give it that fruity taste, and food colouring for that overwhelming pop of brightness. All of these additives have been known to cause all sorts of health problems, some being quite serious. There are more natural ways to restore electrolyte balance such as water, coconut water, watermelon juice, and infused water (natural vitamin water). Another option is to make your own, here are a couple of recipes that will quench your thirst.
Natural Gatorade
Ingredients:
• 1 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
DIY Sports Drink
Ingredients:
• 3.5 cups water
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
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