Imagup General Magazine 2024
Let’s talk about hydration. Did you know that 60% of the human body is made up of water? From your cells to your brain, heart, and lungs, all of these are predominantly made up of water. So, if you’ve wondered why it’s essential to keep yourself hydrated even when you don’t engage in any form of physical activity, here’s why.
Believe it or not, drinking liters of water and staying hydrated isn’t a piece of watered-down advice from nutritionists and medical professionals without significant implications. In fact, keeping yourself hydrated aids in maintaining your overall health and fitness.
Contrary to common belief, drinking eight to ten glasses of water a day is, in fact, a myth and has no scientific proof. A person’s average daily water intake depends on their body type and everyday activity. Drinking the right amount of water is essential in controlling your heart rate and blood pressure, maintaining body temperature, lubricating your joints, and removing toxins in your body.
As great as these all sound, water is water; it’s plain, flavorless, and boring. But don’t worry, in this article, you’ll discover different additives—like the ones you’ll find at dripdrop.com—as well as alternatives you can choose from to turn your boring water into an exciting new experience.
Water Alternatives
On paper, it seems pretty easy to drink several liters of water a day. But in reality, it’s quite a challenge, especially when you’re guzzling flavorless water all day long. To enjoy the experience while you quench your thirst, here’s a list of alternatives you can switch to right now.
1. Sparkling Water
If you want to add a little bit of fizz into your drinking experience, why not grab a bottle of seltzer the next time you’re feeling thirsty.
Sparkling water is a great alternative to rehydrate since it’s merely water and carbon dioxide. It doesn’t contain any sugars, so you don’t have to worry about taking in calories. Be sure to check the labels first before buying, as some may contain carbohydrates and sweeteners.
2. Milk
Recent studies have shown that milk is a tasty thirst quencher.
Besides being an excellent source of calcium, protein, and vitamin D, milk—specifically low-fat and skimmed type—is also a healthy alternative to water. Milk contains electrolytes that the body needs to stay hydrated.
These electrolytes, combined with the vitamins and minerals found in milk, are the reasons why experts recommend drinking milk post-workout. This is because whey found in milk aids in muscle repair and recovery.
Do note that drinking milk as a water alternative is only applicable to those without allergies to dairy. If this is the case for you, drinking plant-based milk, like soy, almond, coconut, or oat milk, might be the best option.
3. Coconut Water
Coconut water is the juice found when you cut open a fresh, green coconut. However, in other non-tropical parts of the world, coconut water usually comes bottled, boxed, or canned. Coconut water is rich in potassium, electrolytes, and some sugar, making it a great water alternative.
If you work out regularly, coconut water is also an excellent alternative for sports drinks because it contains less sugar but provides the same number of electrolytes. This can help return the energy you lost during physical activity.
4. Detox Water
If you’re looking for a drink that sits in between seltzer water and milk, detox water might be the right concoction for you. In simple terms, detox water is water infused with fruits, vegetables, or herbs into the water.
You do this by combining chunks of fruits, vegetables, or herbs and submerging them in water. To take your drink to the next level, you can even squeeze the fruit into the water first before dipping them. This can help enhance the flavor of your water and give it a vibrant, refreshing twist.
Some of the most common fruits you can use are:
- Lemon
- Cucumber
- Apple
- Strawberry
- Lime
- Orange
- Pineapple
- Peach
- Plum
- Mint
Infused water is known for its detoxing capacity. It can help boost your immune system and improve your digestion. However, it’s worth noting that detoxifying has more to do with how much you drink water than the chunks of fruits you add to it.
5. Fruit Juice
Besides being are a refreshing treat, fruit juices can be a hydrating water alternative as well.
One of the main benefits of drinking fruit juice is that it helps boost your immune system. 100% fruit juices are packed with vitamins that can increase your resistance to viruses and other illnesses.
Be mindful, however, that fruits contain high sugar content, which can cause dehydration.
6. Water Enhancers
If you’re the type of person who’s always on the go, then water enhancer drops are an easy option for you.
Water enhancers (or flavored water drops) are flavored concentrated sweeteners that add to water to make it taste better. It usually comes in small packets or tiny squirt bottles, so you can easily stash it in your work desk or your purse. In some cases, other water enhancers may also contain vitamins or caffeine.
You can also use flavored water drops to help you cut down on consuming sugary beverages like soda and juice.
7. Coffee
Many believe coffee to be a diuretic (substances that dehydrate) because of its caffeine. However, contrary to common belief, coffee could help you rehydrate if taken in moderation.
If you look closely, coffee actually contains more water than caffeine. Experts prescribe drinking a maximum of two cups of coffee every day.
8. Tea
Alongside coffee, tea is also believed to be a diuretic because of its caffeine content. But looking closely, tea is infusing dried up leaves in hot water. In fact, it’s no different than detox water!
Tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world, next to the water. Drinking tea rehydrates you while at the same time detoxes your body and helps lower your blood sugar.
9. Fruits And Vegetables
Around 80 to 95% of fruits are made up of water. That’s eating fruits and vegetables is also a great way to keep your body hydrated. Some of the fruits and vegetables high in H2O include watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberry, kiwi, oranges, cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, lettuce, and tomatoes (which is technically a fruit).
Snacking on fruits and vegetables is an easy way to rehydrate while leaving the bloated feeling you get from drinking gallons of water. At the same time, you get essential vitamins that come with these healthy foods.
Develop The Habit of Drinking
Finding the right alternative that can help you get excited to drink more fluids is excellent. However, remember that the goal here is to help you develop the habit of keeping yourself hydrated to avoid acquiring the illnesses that come with it. Here are two tips to help you:
Use Water Apps
Setting reminders on your phone can help you develop the habit of drinking more water. In fact, there are many useful water apps you can download to help you remember when to grab a glass of water.
Carry A Water Bottle Anywhere
If the idea of your phone going off every hour seems too annoying, start carrying a water bottle anywhere you go. Carrying a water bottle is a subtle way to remind you to drink water. And if you’re cutting costs, it can also help you avoid having to buy bottled water whenever you get thirsty. As a rule of thumb, every time you glance over your bottle, you need to drink.
Conclusion
Whether you’re living a very active lifestyle or a passive one, staying hydrated is essential to maintain your body’s important functions. You can avoid dehydration by increasing your fluid intake. And yes, the cup is more than half full when it comes to water alternatives.
