S U M M E R H Y D R A T I O N
The sun is finally out, the grass is green, and you’re ready to partake in all those outdoor picnics, beautiful hikes, and perfect pool afternoons that you dreamed about all winter. Don’t forget to pay close attention to one important aspect of your health: your hydration.
Our bodies are 60% water by weight, and proper hydration is essential for our overall health. After all, the water we consume optimizes blood pressure, regulates body temperature, lubricates joints, moves waste out of the body, and aids in digestion.
Did you know, as we age (particularly past 65), our thirst mechanism starts to diminish? In fact, adults in Canada over the age of 70 consumed about 1/3 of the amount of water of younger people. One of the leading causes of hospitalization in the elderly is due to dehydration.
Do you hate the taste of tap water? In municipal water supplies, chlorine is added to water to prevent the growth of potentially dangerous bacteria. This chlorine sometimes causes that “swimming pool” smell and taste.
How to de-chlorinate tap water:
Fill a reusable (non-plastic) water bottle or pitcher from the tap and let it sit overnight in your fridge. In the morning, the chlorine will have evaporated out of the water.
Choosing a non-plastic container, such as stainless steel or glass, you can avoid some of the questionable sealants and other chemicals used to make plastic water bottles, including the now-limited use of Bisphenol-A (BPA).
There’s no shortage of ways to filter your water. Some people swear by adding a stick of activated charcoal, activated charcoal, uses natural carbon to remove contaminants in water. Others choose the re-mineralization and alkalizing effects of specialized “water sticks” (Just pop one into your reusable water bottle, give it a shake and you have mineralized water).
