Staying hydrated is important for the proper functioning of the body’s cells and organs. Drinking eight glasses of water a day is a good idea, but fluids can also come from fruits, vegetables, and soups. When exercising, it’s important to drink water before and during the activity, and a sports drink may be helpful for longer workouts. When sick, it’s important to sip water slowly and consider electrolyte replacement drinks.
Staying hydrated is important at all times. Adequate water intake is necessary for the proper functioning of the body’s cells and organs. When you’re exercising, ill, or in a very hot environment, it becomes even more important, as adequate fluid intake can ward off dehydration. To protect your health, it’s smart to learn good ways to hydrate your body.
When you’re only engaged in typical activities and don’t engage in extreme levels of physical activity, it’s smart to drink eight full glasses of water throughout the course of the day. Each glass should include at least 8 ounces (226.8 grams) of water. Spreading your drink intake throughout the day can be one of the best ways to stay hydrated, helping you feel less thirsty. Also, if you drink all the water at one point in the day, you may feel bloated instead of just well hydrated.
There are many ways to hydrate your body. While aiming for eight glasses of water a day is a good idea, it’s not the only way to get fluids. Eating fruits, vegetables and soups is among the easiest ways to stay hydrated. Similarly, fruit juices can also be included in the drink count. However, many doctors warn against drinking too much juice, as excessive amounts of sugar are not good for the body. You should still get most of your fluids from water.
No matter how you choose to hydrate, it’s smart to drink fluids before you feel thirsty. Thirst may actually be the body’s way of signaling you that you may be on the road to dehydration. The color of your urine can help you determine if you’re hydrating well enough. Generally, your urine should be very clear or clear. However, if you’re taking vitamins, your urine may be bright yellow or darker after you take them.
If you exercise, it’s smart to use more aggressive ways to hydrate. For example, drinking a couple of glasses of water about an hour before you start exercising can help you stay well hydrated. It’s also smart to drink half a glass to a full glass of water about every 20 minutes during exercise. This is because your body loses a lot of water when you are physically active. For example, you can lose more than a gallon of water when you exercise for just 60 minutes.
The exact amount of water you lose through exercise depends on the intensity of your exercise program. If you plan to exercise for more than an hour, consuming a sports drink may help, as this will help replace the electrolytes and carbohydrates in your body. When you’re finally done exercising, it’s also a good idea to drink another glass of water or another sports drink about half an hour after exercising.
If you’re sick and losing fluids from sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea, you’ll also want to find ways to hydrate your body and avoid dehydration. If so, it may be a good idea to sip the room-temperature water slowly. Drinking too fast or consuming very cold water can only further irritate the stomach; start with a very small amount and gradually increase your intake. There are also special electrolyte replacement drinks and ice pops that can be helpful if you’ve lost a lot of fluids during illness.
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