Just like you wouldn’t face the summer sun without sunscreen, staying hydrated in the heat is equally important for your well-being. As the heat rises, so does your body’s need for water. Drinking enough keeps you functioning smoothly and feeling your best.
Wassen Nutritionist Emma Bullock-Lynch is here with five top tips to stay hydrated in the sun.
- Drink and infuse!
In the heat, it’s essential to drink plenty of water to avoid becoming dehydrated. Keep a bottle of water handy at all times throughout the day to remind you to keep sipping away. If you’re not naturally someone who likes drinking water, try infusing it with flavour from lemon, lime or cucumber.
- Food for thirst
Ditch the idea that hydration only comes from a glass! Many fruits and vegetables are full of hydration – often exceeding 90% water content! Think watermelon, pineapple, peaches, and papayas – all delicious ways to fuel your body with hydration. And don’t forget fresh salads packed with cucumber, tomato, spinach, and peppers for an extra hydrating crunch.
- Off limits
We don’t want to spoil the fun as there’s nothing quite like an Italian coffee or a cocktail in the Caribbean but bear in mind that both caffeine and alcohol cause dehydration, so enjoy in moderation. Overly processed and sugar-laden foods as well as deep-friend snacks should also be kept at bay. When consumed, these can have a diuretic effect, meaning they increase urination and potentially lead to fluid loss if you’re not also consuming enough water.
- Clue-wee!
If you want to know how well hydrated – or not – you may be, then a good indication is the colour of your wee. If it’s pale and clear then you are hydrated but if it’s dark yellow or brownish this is a sign that you are dehydrated and need to drink more water. Keep checking – especially when those rays sun of beaming down!
- Supplement your hydration!
Make hydration part of your morning supplement routine! Start your day and hit the ground running with a tangy green apple-flavoured Wassen Hydrate + Replenish drink, formulated with spirulina and green tea extract. It contains 100% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin D, and helps to support immune health through a combination of selenium and Vitamin C[1], electrolyte balance from magnesium[2] and metabolism from zinc and chromium[3].
Wassen Hydrate + Replenish is available online at www.wassen.com, £11.99 each, for 14 x 5.5g sachets.
Food supplements should not be used a substitute for a balanced diet or healthy lifestyle.
[1] Vitamin C and selenium support normal function of the immune system and protect cells from oxidative stress. Oxidation is the process associated with ageing cells and decay.
[2] Magnesium supports normal electrolyte balance and energy release.
[3] Zinc and chromium support normal metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Chromium supports the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels.