Feature: Healthy Hydration
Whether hitting the gym or taking to the skies for a winter break, being parched will put you on the back foot, writes Ruby Deevoy, as she explores the most effective ways to achieve healthy hydration
Since the human body is composed of up to 65% water, it’s no wonder that even a 1-2% reduction in hydration can impair mood, concentration, energy and overall wellbeing. While we can survive a month or maybe even two without food, we’ll only last a few days without water – it’s second only to oxygen as our most vital life source.
You might have felt at risk of perishing from overindulgence over the festive period but it’s unlikely to be that severe – however, if you’ve consumed more alcohol than usual or binged on overly salty and sugary snacks, your hydration levels will be diminished. This not only makes hangovers significantly worse but will have you kicking off the New Year in suboptimal health.
Sage advice retailers can offer customers falling into the above camp is this: before you think about improving your fitness levels, switching up your diet or starting a daily gratitude journal, do your body and mind a favour and address hydration. Why? Studies have found that staying properly hydrated can increase productivity by up to 14%. Boosting your hydration has been shown to enhance endurance, anaerobic power and mental awareness, and speed up recovery too – something to consider before hitting the gym.
So how can you raise your hydration to optimal levels? It comes down to more than just upping your fluid intake.
Enter electrolytes
Drinking two litres of water a day is great, but not all water is made equal. Many factors such as mineral content, added sugar, salt and even carbonation can make a difference to how well it rehydrates the body. Although plain water is generally fine for everyday hydration, if you’re looking to overhaul your mental and physical wellbeing, support exercise, detox or skin health, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or you’re rehydrating post-illness (hangovers included), drinking electrolyte-enhanced beverages is vital.
Oshun makes it simple to get daily electrolytes through its easy-pump bottles and 100% unflavoured product. Unlike a lot of other brands, Oshun recognized that not everyone wants sweeteners or flavourings added to their drinks, so its electrolyte formulation is as sleek and simple as its packaging – the bottles wouldn’t look out of place on a wellness influencer’s Insta feed. In every two-three pump serving, all you’ll find is concentrated inland sea water from the Great Salt Lake of Utah (containing electrolytes and trace minerals), purified water and potassium chloride, carefully selected to cater to the nature-focused crowd.
It’s not the only brand to have clocked on to the well of highly concentrated, mineral-rich brine in Utah’s ancient, protected salt deposits. For those more likely to up their fluid intake with the addition of something tasty, the Redmond Re-Lyte line is a popular go-to. Along with a dose of Utah-sourced salts, you can upgrade your water with Blackberry, Mixed Berry or Raspberry Mango flavour.
Another time when paying close attention to hydration levels is advisable is when flying. Aeroplanes are known for very dry, recycled cabin air, with a humidity of about 15-20% – considerably lower than the average ‘normal’ air humidity of 40-60%. Jet-setters might consider packing electrolytes sachets in their hand luggage, like those in the handy powder Zooki range. Simply add one stick to 500-700ml of water once through security and you’re good to go.
Natural thirst response
With all the positive health benefits of hydrating in mind, you may be wondering if there are any downsides. As always, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing, but it would take a lot to get there.
Aliza Marogy, registered nutritionist and Inessa founder, says: “We often hear about the importance of hydration, and rightly so. However, it’s reassuring to know that your body has sophisticated mechanisms to maintain fluid balance.”
Occasionally, she explains, drinking far beyond what your body signals it needs can affect sodium levels – a reminder that wellness is about balance. “The beautiful simplicity here is that your natural thirst response is remarkably accurate. Aim for light yellow urine as your visual cue (but bear in mind that some supplements such as vitamin B2 may discolour urine) and you’re likely meeting your needs.”
By Ruby Deevoy, contributor