Why You Must Stay Hydrated: The 1 Thing You’re Getting Wrong About it.

The best way to stay hydrated is also the least expensive, drinking plenty of water.

The term hydration is often used in terms of adding water to the human body that has been lost, usually by drinking. Someone might speak of being hydrated, meaning there is plenty of water in their body. A definition of hydration would not be complete without mentioning its antonym, dehydration. Dehydration occurs when water is removed from something, or when there is an inadequate supply of water.

More than 60% of the human body is water, and water must be consumed every day in order to survive. Staying hydrated means getting enough water, usually through eating or drinking, to keep the body working as it should. How much water is enough? There is a belief among some people that everyone needs to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. In reality, staying hydrated is a little more complicated.

Different people need different amounts of water, depending on their body composition, level of activity, and other factors. An athlete will need more water to stay hydrated than a sedentary person. A taller or larger person will need more water to stay hydrated than someone who is petite. There are many factors that come into play. Even drinking alcohol can change the amount of water a person needs to stay hydrated.

As a general rule, an adult needs to consume, through food or fluids, 2 to 3 liters of water each day to stay hydrated. These 2 to 3 liters need not come strictly from drinking glasses or bottles of water, however. There are many ways to stay hydrated.

The best way to stay hydrated is also the least expensive, drinking plenty of water.

There are plenty of other ways to stay hydrated, however. Other drinks, including milk, soda, electrolyte drinks, coffee, tea, juice, lemonade, etc. can help fulfill some of the body’s daily water needs. There is at least some amount of water in all of these drinks. Adding ice to a drink will also help a person meet their hydration needs.

Many foods contain a large amount of water. Eating these foods will help a person stay hydrated. Fresh fruit, some vegetables, and soup all contain water. Melons, berries, citrus fruit, tomatoes, lettuce, and celery are among the foods that contain a lot of water. Watermelon, for example, is around 90% water.

Beverages that contain a large amount of caffeine, such as caffeinated coffee drinks, energy drinks, and some sodas, should not be relied on for keeping the body hydrated. Caffeine causes some people to feel on edge or to urinate more often, which can be dehydrating. Alcohol is also known to be dehydrating to the body. Drinking sugary beverages is not a good choice either, as they contain lots of empty calories.

Benefits of Hydration

1. Regulate body temperature
2. Prevent illness and infection
3. Deliver important nutrients to the body’s cells
4. Help organs work properly
5. Maintain proper metabolism
6. Remove waste from the body
7. Regulate heart rate and blood pressure
8. Cushion the brain and spinal cord
9. Maintain healthy sleep and overall mood

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The Thing You’re Getting Wrong About Hydration.

“Perfect hydration means the consumption of water plus electrolytes,”. the body needs electrolytes for water to bring nutrition into the cell, and it also needs to pull waste out of the cell.

“Electrolytes are minerals that help your body balance the amount of water inside and help move nutrients into your cells and wastes out of cells,” says Francesca Alfano, a certified dietitian nutritionist. “[Electrolytes] are important for helping your body absorb fluids and are a key component of proper hydration,” she adds.

“Electrolytes can be found in many fruits and vegetables and are common in foods that many people eat daily, such as spinach, avocado, yogurt, and bananas,”

 If you are drinking enough water in general and eating a balanced diet, you’re likely doing enough to maintain healthy electrolyte levels. The body also does a great job of working to maintain electrolyte balance in itself.