The Ultimate Guide to Optimizing Your Hydration
What’s up gentlemen, NADS Blogman, checking in.
We've got a real thirst-quencher for you today – a deep dive into the world of hydration. Whether you're shooting for PR’s at the gym, optimizing your reproductive health, or simply looking to feel flat out better, adequate hydration is a must.
Proper hydration is one of the key components to any proper health foundation. Let’s look at why high-mineral salt water, electrolyte tabs, magnesium supplementation, and your choice of water source matter. Plus, we'll uncover why immediately starting your day with a glass of H2O is a game-changer.
Mineral Salt in H2O – Uncommon Power
You might not have heard of this one, but high-mineral salt water is a total game-changer for your hydration game. Imagine regular water on steroids – it's packed with essential minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium that your body needs for adequate replenishment. These minerals help your body absorb water more effectively, keeping you hydrated longer. A teaspoon of mineral salt (our favorites are Redmond and Celtic) in your water will do the trick.
Magnesium Supplementation – The Overlooked Essential
Magnesium is one of the unsung heros of our health. It's involved in hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body, including those that regulate muscle and nerve function. Did you know it's also essential for water balance? When you supplement with magnesium, you help your body retain the water it needs to keep you feeling and performing your best. Magnesium also plays a critical role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. According to a study by ScienceDirect, people living in towns with high-magnesium water have lower rates of stroke deaths and heart attacks than do those living in areas with low-magnesium water levels.
Electrolyte Tabs – Instant Rehydration
When you're sweating buckets after a killer workout or a hard day's work, it's not just water you're losing – it's precious electrolytes. That's where electrolyte tabs come to the rescue. Think of them like a one-two punch of hydration. They not only help you rehydrate but also replenish the electrolytes your body loses during intense physical activity. Similar concept here to the mineral salt, but slightly different.
Tap Water vs. Spring Water vs. Filtered Water – The Hydration Battle:
When it comes to hydration, water source matters more than you might think. While tap water is safe (using that word lightly here) it likely contains contaminants or an overaly abudnant-mineral content that could impact its taste. Most tap water contains fluoride, BPA, microplastics, and other compounds you don’t want in your water source. Tap water gets our vote of ‘the worst’.
Spring water is typically a much better option, as it usually is free of the toxic load carried in tap water. That said, majority of spring water comes in plastic containers, that often sit out in the sun, causing BPA and microplastics to leach into the water, and thus, into the consumer. Opt for glass containers whenever possible. Spring water gets our vote of ‘better’.
Filtered water, on the other hand, is likely the best choice. It's your best bet at having water that is as close to free of contaminants as possible. A good filter can remove any impurities while preserving essential minerals. It’s job is to ensure that you're getting the purest form of hydration possible. In fact, an article written in Healthline explained that filtered water was consistently the best choice for optimal hydration due to its purity. That said, be wary of water filters, not all are created equally. Opt for a reverse osmosis filter if possible (although pricy, they are worth the investment)! Filtered water gets our vote of ‘best’.
Side note- if you live in an area with a notoriously toxic water supply, you’ll ideally want to toss a water filter on your bathroom sink and your shower. Watch the impact it has on your skin, it’s huge. Here’s our two favorite for those uses. Shower filter from Jolie. Sink filter from Filterbaby.
Morning Water Ritual – The Body Reboot
What has been drilled into our heads our whole lives is the importance of breakfast to kick-start our day. Questionable. True power lies in a cup of morning h2O right after waking. It's the ultimate body reboot. After a long night's rest, your body is in need of hydration, and a glass of water first thing in the morning can kickstart your metabolism and help flush out toxins. Bonus points to toss in some mineral salt as mentioned above.
A study published in the National Library of Medicine highlighted the positive effects of water intake on metabolism and energy expenditure. It showed that drinking water in the morning increased metabolic rate by 24% for 60 minutes. Best way to set your metabolism up for success for the day? Water upon waking.
So there you have it – your ultimate guide for peak hydration. From mineral salt water to magnesium supplements, choose your hydration arsenal wisely. And remember, the quality of your water source matters more than you think. Stay hydrated and stay healthy.
Till next week fellas.
NADS Blogman, signing off.