You don't have to drink something cold to quench your thirst.
During this time of year, a
lot of the country is covered in snow or rain; we are literally surrounded by
water. So, why are we so dehydrated?
According to a University of
New Hampshire study, being dehydrated is more likely during the colder months.
How could this be? Most people forget to drink enough water throughout the day
because they don't feel as thirsty in the cold as they do in the heat. In
addition, carrying our heavy coats requires a lot of effort, which can make us
sweat more.
However, when you are numb to
the bone, it is difficult to want to pound a glass of ice water. According to
RDN Melissa Giovanni, there are numerous alternatives to ice cold water for
hydrating.
I'd be willing to brave the
snow to go to the grocery store for these five toasty, hydrating drinks:-
Spicy Kombucha
Fermented tea is high in
normal electrolytes and made out of for the most part water, so it's perfect
for hydrating. Research shows that fermented tea has such a limited quantity of
liquor in it that it will not affect your liquid levels.
Make your kombucha warm by
heating it in a pot with optional spices like lemon slices, fresh ginger, or
cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil but not fully. Strain and empty out into a
mug.
Milk Steamed
According to a St. Andrews
University study, skim milk is just as good at keeping you hydrated as water.
As 70 men consumed 15 different beverages, including sparkling water, soda,
water, coffee, cold tea, hot tea, orange juice, skim milk, full-fat milk, diet
soda, and sports drinks like Gatorade, the researchers measured their fluid
balance.
The combination of sugar
lactose, protein, and fat percentage, all of which slow down the rate at which
fluids are emptied from the stomach, made skim milk the most hydrating beverage
of all.
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A spokesperson for the Academy
of Nutrition and Dietetics, Melissa Majumdar, disclosed the findings to CNN:
Much of this study confirms what we already knew: Better hydration is made
possible by electrolytes like sodium and potassium, but beverages high in
calories slow down gastric emptying and, as a result, the release of urine.
Even though we are still big
fans of regular water, this is definitely something to think about and learn
more about.
Bone Stock
When you have the sniffles,
soup is what keeps you alive. When our immune system is weak, soup,
particularly bone broth, can rehydrate us and replenish micronutrients that
have been lost. Amino acids in bone broth can help you recover from exercise
and build muscle.
Giovanni asserts, "We
actually need salt to maintain hydration." The amount of fluid in our
blood and around our cells is influenced by the total amount of sodium in our
bodies.
According to Amy Myers, M.D.,
we should choose an organic, grass-fed bone broth with no more than 200
milligrams of salt per serving, no fillers (such as yeast extract or monosodium
glutamate), and few to no "natural" flavorings.
According to Giovanni,
"The most important thing to keep in mind when selecting bone broth is to
ensure that it is actually bone broth and not just broth or stock." which
would contain significantly more sodium.
Herbal Teas
It should come as no surprise
that tea is a great hydrator. Tea is 96% water and 2% team at its core, making
it a great way to get more water while staying warm and cozy. Due to their lack
of caffeine and diuretic effects, hibiscus, rose, and chamomile are excellent
choices.
Giovanni asserts, "All
herbal teas are great for hydration." The most important thing to look for
is a decaffeinated tea; black tea, for example, would not be hydrating.
Lemon Hot Water
We'll be the first to admit
that hot lemon water isn't as effective as it claims to be. However, it is an
excellent method for rehydrating when you want a warm beverage. According to
the Cleveland Clinic, drinking hot lemon water prior to your morning coffee
will help you consume your first cup of water before the day begins.
Giovanni says, "Hot lemon
water is great for keeping us hydrated and giving us a little bit of vitamin C
from the lemon, but that's about it." There aren't really all the crazy
health benefits that have been touted over the years for it.
Giovanni contends that adding
sea salt to lemon water is not entirely necessary to replenish sodium and
electrolytes.
She says, "If it's after
a particularly long and intense workout, it can help with hydration/electrolyte
balance." Although it is not necessary for the majority of people's weekly
workouts.
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