The Importance of Staying Hydrated

Most people know they should drink water and probably do not drink enough. We lose, on average, 2-3 liters of water a
day due to talking, breathing, sweating and going to the bathroom. So why is it so important to replenish the water we lose?

• Keeps muscles, tendons, and ligaments supple allowing them to tolerate stress, reducing the chance of injury
• Better lubrication of joints which aids movement. Reducing stiffness due to arthritis or general wear and tear
• Improves skin quality making it appear more youthful
• Improve gastrointestinal tract and digestion
• Allows oxygen and nutrients to penetrate cells giving us more energy
• Helps maintain the health of organs to aid in fighting off disease

• Aim to drink half your bodyweight in ounces. If you are 200 pounds, aim for 100 ounces. The more you sweat,
  the more you need. Days you are more active, try to consume closer to your body weight in ounces
• Having a large water bottle with a straw during the day makes it easier to consume water

• Flavoring water makes it easier to drink. Add lemon or sugar free water flavors
• Adding an electrolyte supplement to water can improve the taste and help the body absorb the water.
  If you are having a very active day, use the full serving, if not only use half
• A natural Gatorade for exercise is water with lemon, a pinch of sea salt, and a little bit of honey
• Have a large glass of water when waking up. A large amount of water is lost while sleeping, it is important
  to replenish it upon waking

If you have any other questions about staying hydrated during the summer, please book an appointment here!