Hydration is very important for human body average human body is made up of average 60 to 70 percent from water, the H2O in our body works to cushion and lubricate joints and nourish the brain and spinal cord.
Have you ever wonder why do we need so much of water to drink when we are made up of water? Well each day we lose 2-3 litres through sweat, urine and bowl movement and even just from breathing.
All of these functions are essential for our survival Therefore we need to compensate for the fluid loss.
Understanding the concept of hydration, dehydration and over hydration is A good information to have. As per the general interpretation drinking a lot of water makes you hydrated and drinking less water can cause dehydration whereas nobody talks about over hydration in other words it’s very important to correctly understand the concept of hydration.
Hydration means drinking adequate electrolytes which mostly is sodium and potassium, in order to stay hydrated all day a human body maintains the balance of electrolyte inside and outside the cell in biology we call it Osmolality. When you drinks a lot of water without adding Sodium, Sodium electrolytes in the body become diluted causing cells to swell in several cases kidneys can’t keep up with the resulting volume of diluted urin results into water intoxication leads to headache Vomiting and in rare instances death. Hydration is not about drinking a lot of water, Drinking a lot of water under certain circumstances can cause over hydration which can be a problem to human body.
When you drink a lot of water you considerably urinate more than usual. In urine you excrete a combination of water and salt but while drinking you only drink water which results to excess loss of sodium from the body can cause dehydration in the attempt of keeping yourself hydrated.
What if I tell you that salt is extremely beneficial for health?
Reducing salt intake is not only a necessary but potentially harmful to health salt has several very
important functions is needed by the heart to pump blood properly it’s needed by the stomach to facilitate digestion and it is necessary for bone formation and bone strength. it’s a key component in cell to cell communication in the optimal transmission of nerve impulses to and from organs like heart and brain.
Through the process of Osmoregulation of water in sodium and Potassium helps in maintaining the water level inside the body both inside and outside the cell that keeps the integrity of human metabolism alive.
Following are the foods which are rich in sodium and potassium that one must add in their diet in order to stay hydrated and recharged in this summer:
- Salted pickle :
Sea salt helps the body absorb water for optimal hydration, as well as helps the body stay hydrated for longer periods of time but consuming salt directly is not always preferable
because umami taste which can make you feel nauseous therefore Pickle is a great food to supply sodium in human body because it counterbalance the umami taste by citric taste
Butter milk : buttermilk is an excellent drink to prevent dehydration as it is packed with electrolytes, particularly potassium, and water which forms over 90 per cent of the drink. Drinking buttermilk can help fight the heat and maintain water balance in the body
Coconut water : coconut water effectively treats dehydration due to mild diarrhea and is comparable to sports drinks at promoting rehydration in other instances of electrolyte losses
Lime water with salt : lime water is also a great way of providing salt to the body as the lemon counterbalance the umami taste of salt which is easy and palatable.
The bottom line
Even mild dehydration can affect you mentally and physically.
Make sure that you get enough water with electrolyte each day,It’s one of the best things you can do for your overall health. You can become dehydrated from many different causes, such as fever or digestive upset, as well as overexertion, overheating, or certain medications, such as diuretics. Drinking water is a great way to hydrate, and many foods can help you replenish lost fluids, too.
When you’re dehydrated and feeling nauseated, try coconut water, broth, milk, or refrigerated melon. These also deliver electrolytes, which help your body with fluid balance