Daily fluid intake requirements vary by age, sex, pregnancy, and lactation, according to the CDC. Drink a glass of water before bed and a cup in the morning.
Dry, irritated, inflamed, itchy, or sensitive skin? That indicates dehydration. Headache, dizziness, or fatigue? These are signs too.
Hydration is indicated by urine color. White pee, like straw, indicates hydration, whereas dark urine indicates dehydration.
A surprising fact—some liquids dehydrate! Coffee, sugary sodas, beer, wine, hard liquor, lemonade, sweet tea, energy drinks, smoothies, and flavored milk are culprits.
Hydration includes not only drinking water but also maintaining body temperature.
Did you know we drink 80% water? Other 20% comes from eating. Cucumbers, celery, tomatoes, radishes, peppers, cauliflower, watermelon, spinach, strawberries, broccoli, and grapefruit maximize water intake.
Play sports? Hiking soon? Drinking water is essential during activity. Consider humidity, perspiration, and workout duration. Hydration means drinking enough before, during, and after activity.
Airports and flights dehydrate. Summer vacation makes it hard to drink as much as usual, and flights have low-humidity air, which reduces hydration during touchdown.
Unfrequent water drinker? Add simple ingredients to water to refresh it. Fruits like lime, lemon, mint, orange, berry, cucumber, and others add taste without sugar or preservatives.
Our bodies contain useful and harmful bacteria. Our mouths, intestines, and skin contain them. Probiotics in yogurt and other cultured foods and supplements enhance gut microorganisms.