Is Water Alone Enough?

When you see me drinking water, there is likely salt in it!

Fun fact: sweating is actually a really great sign of good detoxification, it is a great avenue for our body to get rid of excess toxins! It also supports healthy metabolism. There is a belief that sweating also supports a healthy immune system because as the body’s core temperature heats up it generates more white blood cells.

We’ve all heard the age old guidelines to drink eight glasses of eight ounces of water a day to stay healthy, but is that really true? Not necessarily. Adequate hydration (and rehydration) is very important. Kresser states, “there is no universal requirement for water intake, and your needs will vary widely based on age, gender, body size, health status, and physical activity levels… environmental factors such as high temperature and humidity also influence needs.” Did you know that many Paleo-style foods are naturally rich in water content? Vegetables and fruits provide a good deal of water along with their nutrients. Watermelon (a personal favorite of mine) is 92% water and broccoli is 91%.

Thirst is actually a great indicator of a need for more water, but for those that are very active may not be able to rely on thirst alone. Plain water also will not do for this population as they are sweating more than the average couch potato.

So what do you need to do?

You need to add a couple of ingredients to your water… want to guess what the first one is?

Sea salt: rich in electrolytes that help the body maintain homeostasis, and give the water an optimal pH balance, which aids in absorption
Carbohydrates: adding a little bit of a natural sweetener like honey can help replenish glycogen (stored glucose) stores in the muscles
*Bonus* Collagen: this vital protein is used all over the body to support structure and stability, it helps build lean muscles, reduces inflammation, supports gut healing and so much more. Collagen is the main structural protein found in the body.

Kresser also says, “sodium is essential to avoid hyponatremia, a serious condition caused by a lack of salt in the blood, leading to water imbalance and water build-up in the brain.”

Sick of “plain” water? Try some of these great recipes

Steph’s Rehydrating Drink Recipe: Mix and enjoy throughout the day

24 ounces of filtered water

1 drop of lemon essential oil (Young Living only) or 1/2 a lemon squeezed

1-2 pinches of Real Sea Salt

1-2 scoops of collagen

1-2 drops of real honey

http://nancycreative.com/2010/06/25/feast-your-eyes-on-flavored-water/

http://wellnessmama.com/2575/natural-sports-drink/

Don’t want to make your own drink, try coconut water. Depending on the brand you may need to add a little sea salt to it.