Friday 4 November 2011

5 Health Tips for Staying Hydrated


By  Britney Fuller

An important part of a healthy diet and exercise program is staying hydrated. A few simple tips can help your body stay hydrated and healthy.

1:- Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink water. Once you feel thirsty, you may already be dehydrated. If you have trouble remembering to drink enough water each day, put yourself on a schedule. To determine the ideal water intake, divide your weight by two. For example, a 120-pound person should drink 60 ounces of water a day. This amount may need to be increased when spending time in the heat or while exercising. It is true that drinking too much water can be dangerous, but most people will feel saturated before reaching that point.

2:-For years we were told that caffeine dehydrates the body, but recent studies contradict this belief. New research has concluded that caffeine does not have a diuretic effect, and individuals will stay hydrated when drinking moderate amounts of caffeinated beverages. The controversy will continue, but we do know that caffeine can increase the secretion of sodium. Individuals taking medications that affect sodium levels should avoid caffeine. Caffeine can also make you jittery and anxious. Everyone should avoid consuming large amounts of caffeinated beverages.


3:-Avoid alcohol and limit soft drink consumption. Alcohol works as a
diuretic in the body, which can result in dehydration and a loss of important minerals, such as magnesium, zinc, potassium and calcium. Soft drinks contain high amounts of sugar. Try adding fresh fruit or herbs to your water for a refreshing change. Citrus, berries and mint are popular. Adding fresh lemon juice may help the cells absorb water, which prevents dehydration.




4:-Limit strenuous physical activities and exercise during the hot part of the day. If that is impossible, drink plenty of water to compensate. This is especially important for the very young and the very old, whose bodies have a difficult time regulating heat. It is also easy to become dehydrated while swimming when the weather is hot because we may be unaware of the heat.



5:-Wear loose clothing while participating in activities while it is hot. Tight clothing holds in the heat and can raise the body temperature. Dark colors attract heat and make you sweat more, which eliminates necessary minerals.

It is important to remember that if you feel thirsty, you need to rehydrate as soon as possible. Water is the best choice. It is healthy, fat free and inexpensive.

Britney Fuller is a writer who enjoys sharing her knowledge and advice with readers. For more on fasting, Chasing Rainbow offers readers information on protecting yourself when fasting.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Britney_Fuller
Pictures added by SHAS

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