Regardless of the season, dehydration is inevitable unless you are consuming a large amount of electrolyte drinks each day and some how avoid both the intense heat from the outdoors and/or heating system as well as the intense cold from outdoors and/or air conditioning systems.
The contrast between hot and cold as well as the air constantly blowing on you, evaporates water from your skin fast. Early signs of dehydration include:
- Brain fog
- Dry lips, mouth and skin
- Fatigue and weakness
- Premature aging
- Constipation
- High or low blood pressure
- Urinary tract infection or dark urine
- Joint pain
- Headaches
- Cravings for sugar or salt
It is also common to mistake thirst for hunger! Do you have a hankering for a bowl of soup, plate of fruit, juicy vegetables? It may be your body looking for hydration in anyway it can get it.
It’s not enough to have water, you also need the important electrolytes that keep the water balance of the body. These minerals include: sodium, potassium and even a little bit of sugar. While there are an abundance of energy and electrolyte drinks on the market, they are generally over saturdated with sodium, sugar and a bevy of food colouring.
It’s easy to make your own homemade electrolyte drink following this recipe.
Homemade Electrolyte Drink
(Make in 1L container)
Ingredients:
300 mL coconut water
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 half a lemon (lime or orange), juiced
1/4 tsp sea salt
water
Fill container with 300mL of coconut water, mix in maple syrup, citrus juice (strain out the seeds) and sea salt. Fill remaining space in container with water and shake well. Drink immediately or refrigerate. Since this has no ‘preservatives’ it is best to drink it within 24 hours of preparation.
Alternatives: Swap maple syrup for other sweeteners such as stevia or molasses.
Want to know more about hydration and its effects on your body read our hydration blog.
The Author, Christina Carew, is a naturopathic doctor who practices functional and strategic medicine in Toronto.
As a medical investigator, she is in the business of changing people’s lives. Dr. Christina focuses on finding the biomedical reasons for symptoms that are often unique to each patient and helps her patients remove the obstacles that stand in the way of living a healthy vibrant life.
Want to know if her approach is right for you – sign up for a free 20-minute consult at https://healingme.ca/book-appointment-naturopathic-doctor/
Note: This blog provides general information and discussion about medicine, health and related subjects. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed health care worker.