Stay hydrated to stay healthy

There are a few more days, hopefully, of warm weather until summer turns to fall at 4:44 p.m. (EDT) Friday, Sept. 22 so we still must be mindful to drink enough liquids -- and not of the fermented type – to stay hydrated.

It is especially important for people with disabilities to drink enough water. People with certain types of disabilities, such as spinal cord injuries, are unable to regulate their body's internal temperature, making them prone to health stroke.

One of the best sources of water can be found in fruits, leading physicians to tell patients to “Eat Your Water.” Fruits and vegetables are great, healthy sources of water.

Cucumbers, lettuce, zucchini, cantaloupe, blueberries, grapefruit, watermelon, spinach, tomatoes, and strawberries are types of fruit that are more than 90 percent of water by weight. In addition, popsicles, smoothies, coconut water and chia seeds are all high in water content. Chia is a flowering plant in the mint family that grows in southern Mexico and Guatemala.

The key to staying hydrated is to drink water – before and after exercise, after using the restroom and before each meal, experts say. By the time you are thirsty, your body already is in the first stages of dehydration.
In some cases, carry a large refillable bottle with you to so you can drink whenever you feel thirsty. 

Other ways to stay hydrated throughout the year, not only summer, include:

n  Set alarms on your phone or watch to help remind you to drink a glass of water each hour.

n  Stay hydrated while at work.

n  Drink extra water when the temperature and humidity are both higher than 70. These weather conditions are when you are at the greatest risk of becoming dehydrated.

n  If you’re bored of drinking water, flavor it with citrus, cucumber, crushed mint of even basil.

n  Swap out pop for sparkling water – it has the same fizziness as pop, but is much healthier and more hydrating.

A person’s blood if more than 80 percent water so if you don’t replace what’s lost every day, blood thickens, forcing the heart to work harder and raising the risk of a heart attack, experts said.