Staying Hydrated

Water Pouring into Bottle ca. 2001

Summer is coming and coming fast! College students are filling the parks, families are starting to play outside, and people are starting to go on long walks with their pets. Don’t forget to hydrate as the temperature rises.

As humans, we are made up of 60-70% water. Fluid balance is important when staying outside for long periods of time. We need just the right amount of water and electrolytes, but consuming too much water can cause intoxication.

According to the CDC, water helps keep body temperature regulated, lubricates your joints, protects sensitive tissues such as your spinal cord, and gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements. We also need more liquids in warmer climates, when running a fever, or excreting more fluid than normal from our bodies (“Drinking”).

Do not be afraid that bottled water, sports drinks, or soda contain bacteria. These drinks are protected under the 1974 Drinking Water Act when the FDA became responsible for ensuring the standards of the EPA are met. Tap water and bottled water must meet certain criteria the FDA (for bottled water) and EPA (for tap water) have set. They are then sampled, analyzed, and approved (Commissioner).

Some tips to remain hydrated are:

-always keep a water bottle with you

-try to drink a glass of water with every meal

-choose foods that have a higher water volume, such as, fruits or vegetables

-when playing sports or doing activities outside make it a competition to see who can drink more water

-put lemon/lime in your water if you do not like the taste

-try to avoid soda which can cause dehydration

Works Cited:

Commissioner, Office Of the. “Consumer Updates – Bottled Water Everywhere: Keeping It Safe.” U S Food and Drug Administration Home Page. Office of the Commissioner, 28 June 2010. Web. 14 June 2017.

“Drinking Water.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 05 Oct. 2016. Web. 14 June 2017.