08/09/2023
What is Hydration Anyway?
Do you drink what seems to be a lot of water or constantly put more salt on your food? You’re not alone and there is likely a reason why. There seems to be a “new craze” about drinking more water, but not just water; you need water + electrolytes. Is this really a new fad, though? And what do electrolytes do for you and why do you need them, even when you’re not working out? We’ve all heard we need more water and most of us likely do need more water. Not only do we need more water, but we need clean water. There are many filters on the market today to clean your water such as a reverse osmosis system hooked up to your sink, water bottles with filters, and water containment jugs that will filter your water. There are pros and cons to all these options. The pros are that you are filtering out the chlorine, fluoride, PFA’s, and other chemicals that have been dumped into the water system. The cons, you filtered out all your minerals. Who knew we needed and have always had minerals in our water that we drink? This is something I’ve been learning a lot more about over the last 4-6 months. So let’s get a little more into this.
Water comes from aquifers, which are under us. Well systems, in rural homes, tap into aquifers but do not generally go all the way down to the bottom of the aquifer. Ever heard of a natural spring? That’s water that has risen to the surface from an aquifer. As the water comes up from an aquifer, it is “filtered” by nature. It is filtered through the many layers of the earth and elements which allows it to come to us clean. On its journey the water also picks up many elements our bodies need for hydration and body processes. The minerals water naturally gains are sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium which you need for cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, metabolism, nervous system health, and regulating blood pressure. Back to the minerals though, our reverse osmosis systems and filters in our fridges remove not only all the harmful things we do not want to drink but also the helpful ones we do want to drink. Out of all the mineral’s we’re missing, the one you need the most is sodium. Most people, including myself, would have never thought about this. This explains why many of us crave salt or drink MORE fluids than we need. I know I do.
So onto electrolytes, what are they? Well stated simply, they’re minerals, minerals you need to put back in your water. So is it really just a new crazy fad or is it just humans getting back to “humaning”? I would say the latter. Have you ever worked out, went for a long walk, did yard work, or anything else that requires a lot of energy? Were you thirsty? You probably were and yes, your water felt and tasted so good and yet, later you were still likely drained. Next time, try putting some electrolytes in your water. In fact, why not add them to your water all the time? And I know, I know, you might say well it’s only for athletes, and I’m here to say no it’s not. All of those minerals play a function in your body. Your ancestors, from not that long ago, were drinking these minerals even when they weren’t exercising. If you are doing physical activity, you just need more water and more electrolytes because you are using or sweating more of them which makes the need more apparent. However, don’t rush out and start buying all those high marketed ones at your local stores and gyms. They are full of sugar and let’s all be honest for a moment, do you need sugar to stay hydrated? Is sugar a mineral that’s always been in our water? I haven’t found any research that says it has. Even better, if you have the time or the passion/desire you can also just go and find your own spring water and collect it yourself! Then you get all the minerals you need. Just go to https://conta.cc/47nVpP3 and put in your zip code. They also have helpful information on spring water and why you need it.
Electrolytes in general are becoming more available. Now you can find some that are stevia sweetened and some without any sweetener. One of my favorite brands on the market is LMNT. They make many flavors to keep your water fun too. Many brands, including them, may not be affordable for lots of people, though and I understand that. They have their formulations on their website, and you can find many ways to make your own through sites like Pinterest. You only need about 1/8 tsp once you’ve mixed it yourself in a glass of water. Let me tell you though, if you make your own, at first it tastes like you’re drinking the ocean. I know, it’s kind of funny and weird. I like to mix in lemon, lime, or watermelon juice, but there are many fruit and veggie (cucumber) combination possibilities. Over time, you’ll get used to the flavor, and over time, you’ll notice you feel better and likely have more energy. I’ve noticed I’m more satisfied throughout my day with my water upgrade, and I still like salt on my food but it’s more like a shake instead of 5 shakes of salt. See the links below if you’d like further information.
Links:
https://science.drinklmnt.com/electrolytes/electrolytes-and-energy/
https://science.drinklmnt.com/electrolytes/healthful-electrolyte-drinks/
https://science.drinklmnt.com/electrolytes/the-fdas-misguidance-on-sodium/
https://findaspring.org/
