This summer has been a pretty hot one! With the high temperatures we’ve been experiencing, it’s absolutely important that you stay hydrated, whether you are spending time outdoors or not. Staying hydrated helps your body regulate its temperature, and water in blood vessels near the skin’s surface helps to dissipate heat.
But is water enough?
Of course, water is good for you and aids in a myriad of your body’s functions. However, water alone is not what keeps your body hydrated. Your body needs electrolytes. Electrolytes are minerals in your blood that carry an electric charge, assist in muscle function and help water move throughout your body. You lose electrolytes as you sweat. Water does not contain electrolytes, so you need to hydrate with electrolyte-rich fluids.
The most common electrolytes are calcium, chloride, magnesium, potassium and sodium. Incorporating these into your diet will help your body hold on to water and put it to use. You can also incorporate supplemental drinks, like Gatorade or some flavored waters that boost electrolytes. Just remember to be careful to watch the sugar content in the drinks. Water flavorings, like MiO, offer vitamins and electrolytes without any added sugar.
So, yes, water is extremely important, but it is not enough on its own to support all your bodily functions. Drink plenty of water and get plenty of electrolytes to stay hydrated.