Homemade Hydration is Better
As the temperatures rise and you are traveling more you might be tempted to grab drinks on the go. I get it. It’s hot and bottled drinks and powdered mixes are an easy fix, but I encourage you to consider making your own. Here is a quick list of why you might want to reconsider buying bottled drinks along with a few of the better brands to keep on hand for exceptions like travel, extreme heat, dehydration or illness.
Dyes, Preservatives: Convenienc
e stores shelves are packed with rows and rows of brightly colored bottled drinks. These drinks get their colors from dyes and are kept shelf stable with chemical preservatives that come with negative health consequences ranging from indigestion, rash and mood changes to increased risk of cancer. These unnatural food additives can also alter the gut microbiome and negatively impact digestion. European countries have already banned most artificial dyes and preservatives. We swore them off permanently after discovering they were the source of our littlest random rashes and hives. These fake foods really have no place in our diet despite their prevalence in the American food system.
Sugar Overload: Making your own hydrating electrolyte drinks is one way to reduce sugar consumption. These drinks may say they are healthy but their sugar content is on par with sodas and soft drinks. One popular drink label showed a whopping 32 grams of sugar per serving. Lower sugar alternatives had artificial sweeteners, which carry similar risks and side effects as artificial dyes and preservatives.
Inferior Hydration
Premade electrolyte drinks may also be an inferior form of hydration. This is due to the dehydrating effects of large amounts of sugar they contain. Sugar in higher quantities causes the body to have to compensate by displacing fluids and increasing urination. If your intention is to rehydrate, these drinks are probably not your best option.
Better Options
The reality is that for most people drinking plain water is enough, but if you like flavored options consider replacing premade drinks for the recipe below. You could also try natural options like herbal teas, coconut water, and prickly cactus juice.
How Much is Enough?
The Mayo Clinic recommends that women drink 11.5 cups daily and men drink 15.5 cups daily. Children’s fluid intake usually ranges from 4-6 cups daily depending on age and weight. Activity level, general health, climate and other factors can all play a role in how much you might need to drink to stay hydrated everyday. (While rare, it is important to note that it is possible to drink too much. This can have potentially grave consequences.) Ideally, you are drinking water and hydrating fluids throughout the day rather than chugging lots of water all at once. Smaller amounts throughout the day are more easily utilized by the body.
Signs of Dehydration
Many people live in a state of chronically dehydrated and don’t even know it. Symptoms and signs of chronic dehydration include dry skin & eyes, constipation, headache, brain fog, slow metabolism and more. Symptoms of acute dehydration are more intense and should be taken seriously. They include: dry mouth,shriveled skin, dizziness, dark colored urine, mood changes or confusion and more. Acute dehydration can be dangerous and should be evaluated by a medical profession.
LEMONADE HERBAL HYDRATION Recipe
Ingredients
2 Cups of Water
1 Cup of Prickly Pear Cactus Juice
2 teaspoons Nettles
2 teaspoons Lemon Balm
Fresh Lemon Juice to taste
⅛ teaspoon Mineral Salt (we use Frontier Pink Himalayan Salt)
Maple Syrup to taste (optional)
Add dried herbs to a quart jar.
Infuse in a sunny spot for several hours.
Strain herbs from the jar and add prickly pear cactus juice.
Add lemon juice to taste. Younger kids may prefer less lemon or orange juice in place of lemon.
Sprinkle in mineral salt
Drizzle in Maple Syrup (optional)
Stir well and pour over ice.
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