Listen to Story Our bodies are made up of cells, flesh, blood, and muscles, but that only accounts for about 40% — the other 60% is water. Water is important for most of our bodily functions, from carrying nutrients to the cells to keeping the brain active. The problem lies when we continuously lose water through sweating, urination, and breathing, but we're not able to properly refill the tank by staying hydrated or drinking enough fluids.
One of the major ways in which the body loses water is sweating , which is the body's natural way of regulating temperature. When you're hot, sweat glands release fluid (mostly water) onto the skin. As this sweat evaporates, it cools the body down.
Sweating also occurs during exercise, stress, or illness to help maintain the body's internal balance. With lost water, many other minerals are also lost in the process. To rehydrate the body, simply drinking water isn't enough.
One of the major ways in which the body loses water is sweating, which is the body's natural way of regulating temperature. (photo: Getty Images) Most drinks are absorbed well and paired with minerals like sodium, potassium, and chloride. These minerals are present in several electrolytes .
While electrolytes and energy drinks are usually seen as a regular means to hydrate the body among athletes, does the average person actually need these supplements? Experts suggest that even regular people need sodium for the body. The normal sodium range in the body is quite narrow: it should be between 135 and 145 mg per litre of blood. It's uncommon for levels to fall below this range, mainly because electrolytes are abundant in food, and light sweating during casual exercise doesn't significantly deplete electrolytes.
HOW TO HYDRATE THE BODY? According to guidelines by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) people should hydrate themselves every 15 to 20 minutes , while also prioritising electrolytes. CDC further mentioned, "Do not drink more than 1.5 litres per hour.
Drinking too much water or other fluids (sports drinks, energy drinks, etc.) can cause a medical emergency because the concentration of salt in the blood becomes too low." The best way to refuel the body with fluids is water, electrolytes and meals.
After excessive sweating, electrolytes with a proper meal can help compensate the body and refuel it optimally. Electrolyte supplements are mainly needed for intense exercise or heavy sweating, but most people can replenish electrolytes through food. In case you sweat heavily and easily lose lots of sodium from the body, replenishing immediately becomes quite important.
Expert say that energy drinks aren't that bad when it comes to hydration. The best way to refuel the body with fluids is water, electrolytes and meals. (Photo: Getty Images) Moderate intake of tea and coffee, below 400 mg of caffeine , are as effective for staying hydrated as water, Mindy Millard-Stafford, a physiology professor at the George Institute of Technology and director of the Exercise Physiology Lab, told Time magazine.
For prolonged exercise or work in heat, fluids with electrolytes are recommended, with options like coconut water or low-fat milk offering a natural alternative. Eat water-containing foods like cucumbers, spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, avocado, sweet potatoes and berries. Dr Honey Savla, Internal Medicine, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai, earlier to IndiaToday.
in soups and broths provide both fluids and electrolytes to the body, helping it to hydrate well..
