We’ve all heard it before: “Drink more water!”
But why should we be drinking more water, other than to quench our thirst? Keep reading to learn about what it means to hydrate, how it benefits our bodies, and how to stay hydrated all summer long!
Why is Hydration So Important?
In addition to keeping us alive, drinking water keeps us hydrated. Scientifically, hydration is our body’s ability to absorb water and draw from that water the vital fluids it needs to stay alive. Hydration also provides other essential benefits to keep our bodies healthy and performing at their best! When hydrated, your:
- Brain performs at its best: staying hydrated keeps your memory and concentration high!
- Body reacts faster: hydration keeps your limbs and joints lubricated, making physical activity easier and performance better than when you're dehydrated.
- Digestive system is supported: your body can’t digest the food you eat without lots of water to support the process!
- Body temperature automatically regulates: Every time you drink water, your body produces sweat that then helps cool your body down in the summertime—when you’re dehydrated, your body stores heat instead.
- Heart stays healthy: when you aren’t hydrated, the minerals in your blood become imbalanced over time.
On the other hand, dehydration leads to fatigue, tiredness, and poor brain and limb performance. Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluids (primarily water) than it takes in. Since we lose fluids in the summertime to keep our bodies cool, it becomes more important to stay hydrated (and easier to become dehydrated.)
Ready to learn how to hydrate better than ever this season?
Meet Our Five Best Tips to Stay Hydrated All Summer Long
If you find yourself experiencing chapped lips, headaches, or tiredness, dehydration might be the cause. Meet our favorite ways to keep hydration top of mind (and keep your body at its best) right here.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables with a high water content. A great way to hydrate without actually drinking a lot of water is by strategically adding the right fruits and veggies to your summer plate. We love cucumbers, watermelons, strawberries, bell peppers, celery, oranges, lettuce, and peaches.
- Carry a large water bottle with you everywhere you go. If you’re going out for a long day, reach for the largest water bottle on the shelf—you’ll need it! Keeping yourself close to water throughout the day is a great way to subconsciously remember to keep drinking and stay hydrated.
- Avoid food and drink that dehydrates you. Highly processed foods and overly sugary, caffeinated, or alcoholic beverages work to dehydrate your body. When able, try opting for juices and fresh foods instead of chips or soda. We even love to take some SuperFruit® Freezie Pops with us for a quick burst of cool and fruity hydration when the sun is at its hottest.
- Make drinking water fun by making fruity new drinks! Turn hydration into something to look forward to by testing out a different drink recipe with friends and family each time. If you’re stumped on where to start, check out our mocktail magic recipe book filled with ten fruit-forward, icy drinks to make hydration exciting this season.
- Make your water work for you. If you’re someone who loves to stay energetic and active throughout the day, try infusing your water with fruit or veggie slices, electrolytes, or other minerals your body may need. This not only makes drinking water more delicious, but adds an extra boost for your body and brain functioning too!
