Why Drinking JUST Plain Water Can Dehydrate You

Sometimes in the world of health it can seem overwhelming when it comes to doing the “right” things. I share the same sentiment!! You’re going about your life normally, eating adequate protein, exercising regularly, prioritizing rest and recovery, and drinking your gallon of water everyday. All of a sudden you come across this blog post, or an instagram influencer telling you that you’re doing it all wrong.

*cue instant feeling of defeat* . Seriously, I've been there, and it’s exhausting to feel like there’s ANOTHER thing you need to change in your wellness routine.

So don’t fret over my click bait headline, you’re likely not on the verge of deathly dehydration. BUT, it’s likely that your hydration efforts COULD be serving you more efficiently with one simple change (insert smile emoji)

Understanding Fluid Balance and Electrolytes

When it comes to hydration, it really is simple, and it all boils down to understanding the fluid balance in and outside of our cells. There is a delicate balance that needs to exist within/outside of our cells in order for them to function optimally. Electrolytes that are involved are: sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphate, and bicarbonate.

Why Would Drinking JUST Water Dehydrate You?

Now why would drinking JUST water dehydrate you? Because it can dilute the concentration of electrolytes within your body! Our bodies tend to excrete plain water quickly, which can also lead to a quick depletion in electrolytes, leaving you dehydrated at the cell level. So many people will drink water consistently throughout the day, and STILL feel thirsty, and THIS IS WHY!

SIGNS OF ELECTROLYTE DEFICIENCY/DEHYDRATION

• Confusion/mood imbalances

• Muscle twitching and/or soreness

• Eyelids twitching

• Hard time focusing

• Fatigue

• Headaches/migraines

• Rapid heart rate

• Diarrhea OR constipation

• Nausea or vomiting

• Muscle weakness

Do You Need Electrolytes All Day Long?

Now does this mean that we need to constantly need to be drinking electrolytes throughout the day? Not necessarily. For the average person (i.e. you’re not a professional athlete), supplementing your midday bottle of water with an electrolyte pack may be all you need. But if you find yourself working out hard consistently, and sweating it out in the sauna after, you might find it beneficial to add an additional pack of electrolytes in to replace what may have been lost or secreted through your sweat! An average day going grocery shopping, folding laundry, and going for a walk? You’ll likely be okay with just adding a little into your water mid day (smile face emoji), but it just depends!! Go off of how you feel.

What Increases Your Need for Electrolytes?

Some days your body may demand more electrolytes based on a large variety of things like:

• Coffee/tea consumption (it’s a diuretic, making you pee more)

• Mental stress

• Sickness (puking or diarrhea)

• UTI’s

• Antibiotic use

• Poor nutrition (we get a lot of our electrolytes from our food as well!)

The key to staying hydrated is listening to your body, as each of our needs are different on a daily basis.

Some of Our Favorite Electrolytes

• Organic Coconut Water

• LMNT (we sell these in the office)

• Jigsaw Electrolytes (link here)

• Ultima Electrolytes

• Needed Electrolytes

With ALL things health, listen to your body, because know one understands those quiet whisperings better than YOU.