Water is often referred to as the elixir of life, and for good reason. Proper hydration is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being. Our bodies are composed of about 60% water, and this essential fluid plays a role in nearly every bodily function, from regulating temperature and transporting nutrients to aiding digestion and detoxification. When we are dehydrated, it affects our physical performance, cognitive function, digestive health, skin health, and more. Dehydration can result in headaches, muscle aches, and low energy, among other things.
You might be surprised to hear that simply drinking water may not be enough to support optimal hydration. Here are my top 6 tips to help support adequate hydration so you can enjoy life as much as possible!
How to boost water absorption
Start your day with water
Begin your morning by drinking a glass of water to kickstart your hydration for the day. There is added benefit when drinking water on an empty stomach. Add a couple drops of doTerra lemon essential oil for added detoxing benefits.
Incorporate hydrating foods
Many fruits and vegetables have high water content, making them excellent choices for staying hydrated. Watermelon, cucumber, oranges, celery, berries, grapes, lettuce, and spinach are some great options to include in your diet.
Add electrolytes
Electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, help regulate fluid balance in your body. This is especially important after moderate to intense exercise. Many electrolyte drinks have a bunch of added sugar, food dyes, and other “natural flavors”, but coconut water (no sugar added) is a fantastic, healthy electrolyte drink to help keep you hydrated.
If you don’t love the flavor of coconut water, I get you. Once you’ve had fresh coconut in Costa Rica, nothing compares! Try adding it to a smoothie, protein shake, or even a small amount of juice. If you do want to try another electrolyte drink, you really want to use one that avoids all the excess sugars (or artificial sweeteners), food dyes, and other junk that are so prevalent in electrolyte or sport drinks. There are a few decent ones out there, but my absolute favorite is called MetaPWR Recharge. It currently comes in Wild Strawberry and Lemon Lime flavors. The reason it’s the best one I’ve seen is because it not only avoids added sugars and food dyes, but it also has the addition of powerhouse ingredients like 4 forms of highly absorbent magnesium, ginseng root extract, deep-ocean minerals, and baobab tree extract. Plus, it’s delicious!
Another option is eating potassium-rich foods. Here is a helpful list of foods that are rich in potassium.
Get salty
When you exercise or sweat, you lose not only water but also electrolytes like sodium.
Adding a pinch of unrefined mineral salt (I prefer Redmond brand), Himalayan or Celtic sea salt to your water adds sodium and minerals, and helps the water get into your cells to keep you hydrated.
Sip throughout the day
Instead of chugging large amounts of water at once, aim to sip water consistently throughout the day. This approach allows your body to absorb the water more effectively and helps prevent over-hydration. Bonus tip, drink minimal water 30 minutes on either side of a meal to aid in digestion.
Monitor your urine color
A simple way to gauge your hydration level is by observing the color of your urine. Pale yellow or straw-colored urine indicates adequate hydration, while dark yellow or amber-colored urine may be a sign of dehydration and the need to increase water intake.
Staying hydrated is an essential component of maintaining good health and promoting overall well-being. From improved physical performance to enhanced cognitive function and healthy skin, the benefits of proper hydration are numerous. By incorporating simple strategies like the above, you can ensure that your body absorbs and utilizes water efficiently. Remember, a well-hydrated body is a happy and healthy one!
