Keeping Hydrated

Keeping Hydrated

Summer is here, and it’ getting hot outside. Runners are out with their water bottles, and pedestrians are stopping into Braddock Express stocking up on Gatorade. My favorite way to stay cool is to grab a fruit smoothie or bubble drink from Green mango; they’re refreshing, made with fresh fruit, and are served with those extra- large straws that allow the bulky pearl tapioca to reach your mouth unimpeded. Another favorite of mine (but on a far less-regular basis) is an ice cold Hoegaarden from The Loft served with fresh lemon- delicious!

When the temperatures rise, so does your internal thermometer- your body has to work twice as hard to stay cool, and it’s easy to become dehydrated. So, what are the right ways to keep your body operating efficiently? Before we explore that answer, let’s look at what you should not be drinking.

Sodas

Sodas taste good, but actually can be detrimental to your health. Soda contains eight to 10 teaspoons of sugar- per can. Besides sugar, sodas also contain large amounts of sodium, and other chemicals that have no nutritional benefits, and don’t provide the H2O we need to hydrate ourselves. Let’s also not forget how much caffeine sodas contain.

Diet sodas

Although diet sodas don’t contain sugar, they do have artificial sweeteners in them. Aspartame and other chemical additives are added to these sugar-free concoctions to make them taste better. Besides leaching our bodies of precious fluids and minerals, over-consumption of diet sodas has been linked to decreased bone density, and other health ailments.

Sports Drinks

Sports s drinks are a multi-billion dollar industry. Endorsed by professional athletes, and public figures it’s hard not to be drawn in by the allure of these colorful beverages. Not only do they look refreshing, (with all of the bright colors and packaging), but the ads imply that by consuming these drinks, you will be able to perform like a professional athlete- not true. But the question remains, will these drinks keep you hydrated? Sports drinks do contain less sugar, and in my opinion, are far better for you than diet soda. One of the added benefits of consuming sports drinks are the added electrolytes. Electrolytes are salts contained within our bodies, and are essential because they are what our muscles use to maintain voltages across the cell membranes and carry electrical impulses across themselves to other cells (ref: Discovery Health, http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/diet-fitness/information/question565.htm).

Good Old H2o!

The best way to stay hydrated is to drink water. Water is pure, and contains no harmful additives, coloring, or other non-organic additives. Water is always around (fresh from the tap is just fine!) and always plentiful. If you’re worried about electrolytes, don’t be. Through diet, our bodies will restore depleted sodium reserves, and the likelihood of not having enough salt in your body is slim.

Availability

The best way to keep your body hydrated is to make sure water is readily available. Keep bottled water around the house, and in your car. Even if you don’t feel thirsty, go ahead and take a swig anyway- remember, we should all be drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day!

Chef Chuck Kerber
Cooksandeats.com
chuck@cooksandeats.com