Roaring Temperatures on Wednesday, August 3rd!
As the heat and humidity of a typical North Carolina summer continue to rise and force us indoors for reprieve, we often neglect a critical component to beating the heat. Every cell in your body contains water and thus proper hydration is critical to your health. Water is essential in managing blood volume and blood pressure, transportation of nutrients and oxygen, cushioning joints, metabolizing fat stores, removing toxins and waste from the body, converting food to energy, and protecting organs, just to name a few!
Your body also needs water to help regulate body temperature in both hot and cold weather. Temperatures are soaring and adequately hydrating your body could be the difference between enjoying your lazy summer days and suffering severe discomfort, or worse. Obviously, restoring or maintaining normal levels of water in your body requires ingesting water. However, turning up a glass and chugging away is not the advised means as the intake is far too quick, causing your body to initiate the process of eliminating the water from your system quickly in an attempt to keep your blood pressure and electrolyte levels steady. A better way to ingest water safely and efficiently is sipping on water through the course of the day and consuming foods that contain high levels of water.
Fruits and vegetables are 75%-95% water, depending on the food, and are far easier and more pleasant to consume regularly than a tall glass of water. Moreover, the nutrients they contain can aid in the absorption of water and keep you hydrated longer by allowing a slower and steadier absorption. Fruits and vegetables of all varieties are readily available this time of year, making it an easy fix to the heat the season brings, as well. Cantaloupe, watermelon, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, leafy salad greens, and strawberries are all high in water content as well as vital nutrients. If you want to do even more to ensure proper hydration, you can add citrus fruits, strawberries and raspberries, or cucumbers to a glass of water to enhance the flavor and increase absorption.
The next time you are shopping for groceries, pick up as many vegetables and fruits as you can. If you are also careful to add a variety of color, you will not only treat yourself to better hydration, but all the other health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables.
What’s your secret to staying cool in this blazing heat? Favorite pool?
Ellen Thornburg
Exercise Physiologist
Duke Center for Living at Fearrington
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