Hydration

As higher temperatures are flowing in while sports and other activities are taking place outside in the heat, the importance of water and your water intake cannot be overlooked. Water is the simplest hydrating liquid that has no added calories or flavoring. This simple liquid is vital to our health and is often overlooked and ignored. Water plays an important role in bringing nutrients to cells, getting rid of wastes, protecting joints, and regulating body temperature. These reasons make it super important to regulate your water intake and make sure you're drinking as much water as you can on hot days that may be very dehydrating. 

It is recommended that men drink 13 cups of water a day, women drink 9 cups a day, and kids and teens should drink 6-8 cups per day. Although it is recommended to drink these amounts, if you are active and burning calories, your body may crave or require more, which is completely normal. During intense exercise, water may be helpful, but often sports drinks can aid in the rapid hydration and restoration of nutrients that water cannot maintain during intense exercise. For non-athletes, sports drinks are merely an unnecessary and sugary drink to have during the day. Also, overhydrating is just as much of an issue as dehydration because of its flushing of important electrolytes and nutrients that are transported by water. Symptoms of overhydration include nausea, headaches, cramps, weakness, and confusion. Symptoms of dehydration are thirst, flushing, fatigue, and fast breathing. Overall, during this spring and summer season, water intake and hydration should not be taken lightly as the effects of being dehydrated and overhydrated can be taxing and destructive to everyone. (Citations)