STAYING HYDATED
Staying hydrated is essential for your body and depends on water to survive. Many of us are dehydrated and don’t even know that. You can go for a few days without food, but you won’t last 2 to 3 days without water? According to USGS, your body consists of 60% water. This is why hydration is crucial for your body.
STAYING HYDRATED FROM A DOCTOR'S PERSPECTIVE
Larry Kenney, Ph.D., a professor of physiology and kinesiology at Penn State had this to say, "staying hydrated is important because the body consists mostly of water, and the proper balance between water and electrolytes in our bodies determines how most of our systems function, including nerves and muscles."
He further adds, “consuming fluids or water is very important for the proper functioning of the body as it contributes to several functions like expelling waste through urine, managing body temperature, blood pressure, healthy metabolism, and even heart rate. So without adequate water, the body begins to shut down.”
PERFORMANCE HYDRATION
A “marginal” 2% decrease in staying hydrated can lead to dehydration and a performance drop. If the decrease is 3 to 4%, it could lead to physiological changes and be manifested as a rapid heartbeat and elevated body temperature. Signs of dehydration include confusion, a change in behavior, inability to stand or walk, breathlessness, etc.
37% of the overall population mistake thirst for hunger. Therefore, people eat when not needed and bulk up, without knowing it. So our body needs about two liters of fluids every day. As a result, this will replenish the lost water in daily activities.
TOP 10 BENEFITS OF STAYING HYDRATED
How staying hydrated benefits the body:
- It delivers oxygen throughout the body
- It forms saliva and mucus
- It boosts skin and hair health and lubricates the joints
- It regulates body temperature
- It cushions the brain, spinal cord, and other sensitive areas
- It flushes body waste
- It makes minerals and nutrients accessible
- The digestive system depends on it
- It helps maintain blood pressure
- Weight loss, sleep, and boosts performance during exercise
SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION
How do you know if you are dehydrated or not? Ask yourself if you are thirsty. If yes, chances are high that you are dehydrated. So the body is already signaling a lack of water with thirst. However, you don’t have to wait to drink water until you're thirsty. Staying hydrated is way more important.
Carry your water bottle with you and sip it now and then. There are other ways to check for dehydration and to determine your thirst. For example, check your urine color, it shouldn’t be dark yellow. Also, you should drink enough water, so you can go to the washroom every 3 hours while staying hydrated.
HOW WATER HELPS HYDRATION?
Water is in your blood and helps transport oxygen and nutrients to other parts of the body. Here’s a list of how water helps:
- First, water is in urine and helps with toxin expulsion
- Water is in saliva, which aids with digestion
- Water is in body fluids, which help lubricate joints and bones
- Water is also responsible for clear skin, effective performance, and everything else you do daily
- Lastly, you will also feel upbeat and energetic
HOW HONEY BADGER HELPS HYDRATION?
We have talked a lot about drinking water, but have you ever tried plain old water? At Honey Badger, we have a great product that can help with delicious flavor. If you haven't already, you should be using our BCAA product. It’s a powder that you can add to your water for a tasty flavor while adding all 9 essential amino acids and glutamine to maximize replenishment.