A Better Way To Hydrate

When it comes to staying hydrated and healthy, drinking water all day long is the most common advice people follow. But is it the best way to keep yourself hydrated? In this article, we'll explore why drinking too much water can actually be harmful and provide a better way to stay hydrated.

While drinking water is important, drinking too much water can cause issues like hyponatremia, which is when your body has diluted its sodium levels to the point of being dangerous. Water intoxication is also a real thing—it can make you disoriented, confused and even more dehydrated than before you drank all that extra H2O.

If you're exercising or working outside in hot weather, you'll already be losing a lot of fluids through sweat that would otherwise count towards your daily liquid intake.

You may have heard that you should drink eight glasses of water a day. That's the commonly accepted amount of H2O ... but is it accurate? Well, yes and no. While it's a good rule of thumb, most people already get enough water in their daily diets, and drinking more won't improve your health or actually provide your body with the hydration that it needs.

A better and more efficient way to hydrate is to increase your intake of healthy foods that contain a high water content, minerals and the electrolytes that your body requires, such as calcium, potassium, chloride, phosphate and magnesium. These electrolytes are minerals in the body that have a variety of functions, one of which is fluid balance.

So, what are the best foods to consume to ensure that you are properly hydrated and getting a good dose of the minerals that your body requires? Foods such as watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber, celery, apples and kidney beans (seems odd, but beans have a high water content) are not only hydrating but, these foods also contain fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that your body requires.

Coconut water is a great option for a healthy dose of hydration. Not only does it taste great but it is packed with natural electrolytes, antioxidants and although more research is needed, studies have shown that coconut water may help balance blood sugar and may help reduce heart disease risk. Just be mindful that your coconut water does not contain any added sugar.

While water is required for our health and wellbeing, the best way to stay hydrated, especially through the hot summer months, is to up your intake of nourishing fruits & vegetables and have some fun while sipping from a fresh coconut, whenever possible! By incorporating these foods and drinks into your diet, you can stay hydrated and healthy without relying solely on water.