The Right Way to Stay Hydrated
Hydration is fundamental for keeping your body going. Find out how to make smart choices with the right nutritious beverages.
For our bodies to function properly, it is important to stay well hydrated every day. But is drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water the best solution to meet our daily requirements?
Without a doubt, water is the best way to stay hydrated. However, other liquids may be just as effective! Tea, mineral waters, herbal teas, sugar-free sparkling waters, milk and chocolate milk all represent interesting alternatives. In fact, milk is about 85% water!
Water is also found in the foods we eat, especially in vegetables and fruits. Cucumbers, tomatoes and oranges are just a few examples of high water content foods. Yogurt may also be a good choice, as it is made up of 70% water.
Why water?
The human body can only survive a few days without water. Water is essential for a number of reasons, such as transporting ingested nutrients within our bodies and regulating body temperature. Overall, good hydration keeps your body functioning well throughout the day!
Drink smart
In 2009, each Canadian consumed an average of close to 72 litres of soft drinks compared to 57 litres of milk.1 However, soft drinks—as well as energy drinks and fruit punches and cocktails—contain a significant amount of sugar and often only very few nutrients. These drinks are therefore not very nutritious choices. Beware!
A great habit to wake up to
Don’t wait to be thirsty to drink: thirst is a sign that your body is dehydrated. From the moment you wake up, drink and keep drinking throughout the day. And be sure to drink more when it gets hot or if you’re very active. Here’s to your health…Cheers!
