Your doctor likely hasn’t mentioned dehydration. Most mainstream docs don’t.
The “experts” don’t talk much about this common danger on TV, either.
It’s not splashed across the covers of the glossy magazines in the supermarket.
Dehydration dangers are overlooked and often outright ignored. Yet staying hydrated is absolutely critical to your health, especially if you’re a senior.
So today, allow me to do what they won’t.
I’m going to pop the top off the MISSING INGREDIENT to your overall health that’s absolutely critical here in the dog days of summer.
In some cases, it could even save your life.
And odds are, the solution is in your fridge right now.
Are you dehydrated? Here’s how to tell
It turns out dehydration is a leading cause of hospitalization among seniors.
It occurs more often in summertime, of course. And you’re especially at risk if, like a lot of us, you’re prone to keeping the A/C off to save on the electric bill.
You see, as you get older, your internal thermostat doesn’t work quite as well as it once did. Which means you don’t always feel the heat or recognize its effects on your body.
Plus, common prescription drugs, such as blood thinners, can fool you into thinking it’s cooler than it is. You might even feel chilly on a hot day! (Sound familiar?)
And certain meds, especially diuretics, can cause you to lose even more water, often without realizing it.
As a result, a study found 95 percent of older men and 83 percent of older women fall short when it comes to drinking enough throughout the day.
Making things worse, most people don’t recognize the warning signs of dehydration, including…
- fatigue
- dizziness
- confusion
- dry mouth
- walking difficulties (which can lead to falls)
Even MILD dehydration can lead to brain fog, low energy, irritability, and more.
But the good news is that you can cure this health problem easily enough…
4 tasty ways to avoid dehydration this summer
To most people, “hydration” usually means knocking back glass after glass of water, until you swish when you walk.
And sure, you can stick to just plain water. But where’s the fun in that???
Following are four more options that can keep you healthy and hydrated and provide a little flavor, too…
1. Milk:
I bet you didn’t see this one coming. On a hot day, outside, no one wants a glass of milk. BLECH! But once you’re indoors in the A/C, a glass of milk is actually one of the BEST ways to avoid dehydration.
A 2016 study found the mix of fluids and nutrients in milk makes it more hydrating than water, “sports drinks,” or anything else.
2. Cucumber water:
I know it may sound strange if you’ve never tried it, but cucumber water is deliciously refreshing. Wash and peel some cucumbers, cut them into slices, drop them into a pitcher of water, and chill it overnight.
Presto! Your water isn’t boring anymore… and you haven’t added a drop of sweetener or artificial flavor. Plus, since cucumbers are packed with water simply munching on cucumber slices is a great way to boost your liquids too.
3. Melon water:
Do the same thing you did with the cucumbers but with some watermelon. A punch of flavor with just a trace of naturally sweet melon.
While you’re at it, grab a slice of watermelon to eat. Watermelons are brimming with water so just eating a serving of this summertime favorite will top off your liquid levels too.
4. Food:
Many foods are loaded with water, especially fruits and vegetables. They all count toward keeping hydrated, and you don’t even have to squeeze them or make juice out of them. Just eat your water instead. Celery, tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, strawberries, and grapefruit are all excellent choices.
Don’t let dehydration land YOU in the hospital… or worse. When it’s hot outside, make it a habit to keep a drink in hand and sip on it throughout the day. And go ahead and indulge in A/C whenever the temperature soars.
She is an advocate of self-education and is passionate about the power of group knowledge sharing, like the kind found right here on HealthierTalk.com. Alice loves to share her views on holistic and natural healing as well as her, sometimes contentious, thoughts on the profit-driven inner workings of traditional medicine.
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