As William Patzert, a retired oceanographer and meteorologist, rightly opined, heatwaves are dangerous. In southwestern California especially, there is a hazard of people experiencing extreme temperatures, even indoors. At the moment, most areas in California, including Los Angeles County, Antelope Valley, and Santa Clarita valley, have gotten extreme temperature warnings.
Why Should You Hydrate?
William Patzert further explains that temperatures exceeding 950F or 350C constitute a danger to human health and may result in negative reactions. In the coming days, the weather will get warmer, especially in the West, resulting in temperatures exceeding 950F. Unusual climatic conditions can present a significant risk, especially to public safety and railway services.
Water helps the body cool down through sweating. The human body expels sweat when there is a transfer of internal heat to the water within the body. Dehydration hinders the body’s ability to cool down. It can cause exhaustion, cramps, and heat stroke, which are all heat-related ailments.
How to Prevent Dehydration
1. Abstain from Alcohol
The idea of having an ice-cold cocktail with a little paper umbrella may sound appealing; however, it is not revitalizing in any way. Alcohol only increases dehydration. If you have to take alcohol while barbecuing, it is advisable to drink more water to stay hydrated. Similar to alcohol, caffeine increases dehydration. Nevertheless, consuming minimal amounts of caffeine in high temperatures shouldn’t cause any harm.
2. Always Drink Water
Doug Aukerman, MD – a sports medicine physician at Samaritan Athletic Medicine Center, advises that daily hydration gives the best results. Taking enough water daily helps your organs function adequately and also provides flexibility if any problem arises. When using an eight-ounce glass, eight glasses of water daily is usually enough. However, if there is extreme heat and excessive sweating, you can take more glasses of water. Dr. Aukerman also recommends talking to a doctor to know the optimal quantity of water necessary, especially for diabetic patients or people taking diuretic pills.
Check here to learn more: This Is the Right Amount of Water You Should Take Daily
Types of Hydrating Fluids
The National Academy of Medicine recommends enough daily fluid intake, which is 13 cups for men and 9 cups for women, with 1 cup equivalent to 8 ounces. You need a higher amount if may you’re physically active or live in a warm climate. A combination of fluids can provide you with water, essential nutrients, and electrolytes your body needs to sustain peak-level temperatures.
Below are the different types of hydrating fluids.
1. Filtered Water
The most significant benefit of purified water is that it is free of harmful chemical substances. Tap water from your sink is purified to an extent from the local water plant. However, the water contains chemical agents that are supposed to purify it. On the other hand, water filters have the sole purpose of purifying water by filtering out lead, chlorine, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Filtered water is suitable for keeping your body hydrated.
Hard water is generally safe to drink, but the excess minerals cause an unpleasant taste. Like most American households, you can use a water softener system to filter out the hard minerals if you have hard water.
Hard water flows through the resin beads of the water softener system – eliminating hard minerals like magnesium and calcium from the water. By softening your water, your family can enjoy pleasant-tasting water, better health, and reduced cost of cleaning supplies.
Waterdrop Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
2. Sports Drinks
Sports drinks have specific amounts of nutrients and electrolytes to hydrate and nourish the body. According to Harvard University, research studies have revealed the benefits of sports drinks to adult athletes. Because of high-intensity exercise, athletes’ body quickly depletes nutrients and electrolytes, and drinking sports drinks provides them with a quick energy boost. The same is true in heat waves or peak-level temperatures.
Sports drinks generally contain about 4 to 8% solution of carbohydrates and electrolytes. An electrolyte sports drink can maintain blood sugar and improve hydration, mainly when used with 60 minutes of endurance exercises. However, the effects of sports drinks are negligible compared to water when used for less than 60 minutes of endurance exercise.
3. Coconut Water
Coconut water is an electrolyte-rich drink; it is a natural sports drink. Electrolytes in coconut water include sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. Although coconut water contains sugar, just like any sports drink, there are some subtle differences between them. Store-bought sports drinks have more sodium than coconut water in a ratio of about 4 to 1. Also, instead of natural glucose and fructose in coconut water, store-bought sports drinks contain high fructose corn syrup.
To Wrap Things Up…
Hydration is vital in high temperatures to maintain a balance in body temperature and also prevent heat-related sicknesses. Talk to a doctor today to know the optimal water intake to make you well hydrated.
