Staying hydrated - what to avoid and how much to drink?
Our bodies lose a significant amount of fluid each day which ideally needs to be replaced by the fluids that we get from our diet. But are we hydrating ourselves correctly? Many of us will assume that drinking tea, coffee, fizzy drinks and alcohol will keep us hydrated, when really, they can dehydrate us further. Here are some tips on what drinks to avoid and how to keep hydrated:
Say no to fizzy drinks:
Fizzy drinks have always been a problem when it comes to our health. The main issue lies in the sugar content within the drinks which can cause severe damage to teeth, increase risk of diabetes and significantly impact our health. Even though many are opting to promote their 'zero' rating in calories and sugar, many are filled with sweeteners such as aspartame which can be just as harmful. Fizzy drinks also lack vitamins and minerals which the body requires on a daily basis.
Food can hydrate you!
Eating a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables is a great way to keep hydrated. Studies have shown that around 20% of our daily water intake comes from our food and diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, cucumber, celery, broccoli, cauliflower have a whopping water content of up to 90%.
Don't like the taste of water? Add some flavour!
Adding slices of citrus fruit such as lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit or refreshing cucumber will help disguise the taste of water and make it less boring!
Drink a minimum of 2litres of H2o a day!
Not only is hydration great for your physical performance, but it also helps your concentration and flushes out toxins from your body. Whilst everyone is different in their body type, weight and size, we should all make sure we our drinking enough water for our stature. It is recommended that a minimum of 2 litres of water a day is needed to help fuel our body correctly, so give it a go!
You can still have your coffee and alcohol, but all in moderation
How many of you can't function without your morning coffee? Drinks that are high in caffeine may give us that 'buzz' to keep us going throughout the working day, but this can be followed by a 'lull' or 'come down', which can affect our concentration and our sleep. Alcohol also has high amounts of sugar and calories, which, like caffeine, once worn off can leave you feeling lethargic and dehydrated. Keep both your caffeine and alcohol consumption to a minimum. If you do decide to have either of these beverages, try to drink water in between or alongside them to ensure you are staying hydrated. Here at Phoenix Fitness, we have a huge selection of bottles, shakers and infusers that are great to keep you hydrated throughout the day. Explore our collection. Don't miss out on the opportunities we offer with our discount coupons. There are countless opportunities, enjoy!