Why water is the best beverage during an intensity wave

 

 

 

A record-breaking heat wave that has lasted for days is affecting millions of Americans.

We are aware that staying hydrated is essential to maintaining good health in the heat of the summer, but is water still the best beverage during a heat wave? Or should sports drinks be used instead? Is it advisable to continue drinking beer, soda, and coffee in the midst of extremely hot weather?

I had a conversation with Dr. Leana Wen, a wellness and health expert from CNN, to find out which drinks to choose and which to avoid during events with hot weather. Wen is a George Washington University emergency physician and clinical associate professor. She previously held the position of health commissioner for Baltimore.

How much water should people typically consume, and does this change when the weather is extremely hot?

Leana Wen, Dr. The "8 x 8 rule," which suggests that adults consume 64 ounces of water per day (eight 8-ounce glasses), is a quick rule of thumb that is frequently cited. Half a gallon is that. There is no set rule for this. The type of food a person consumes, their body size, and their level of physical activity are just a few of the many factors that influence how much water a person needs.

Different elements incorporate air temperature and moistness, and, explicitly, how long you spend outside during warm climate. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people working in the heat or doing other physical activity should drink 8 ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes. The total would be between 24 and 32 ounces per hour. In addition, people should drink plenty of water before and after spending time outside in the heat.

  Is there a danger of drinking too much water?

Wen: Yes. People should not consume more than 48 ounces (or 1.5 quarts) of water or other fluids in an hour, according to the CDC's recommendations. It can be dangerous to drink a lot of fluid at once because it can lower the concentration of salts in our blood.

 

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Is water still the best fluid when it's really hot outside, or should sports drinks be used instead?

Wen: Electrolyte-rich beverages are known as sports drinks. Their primary design is to renew water and electrolytes that are lost with perspiring. Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium are present in these drinks. Fructose, glucose, and sucrose are examples of added sugars in some.

Most people don't need anything else but water. By and large, grown-ups taking part in gentle to direct actual work and children playing on the jungle gym or doing sporting after-school sports don't require electrolyte substitution. The electrolytes we require are found in the foods we consume.

Athletes who exercise vigorously for at least an hour outdoors in hot weather are candidates for sports drinks. However, this time around, not all of these people will require additional electrolyte replenishment beyond what they get from eating normally. Whether they do relies upon variables, for example, the amount they sweat, how hot and damp the climate is and how seriously they work out.

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 Which is better, an electrolyte powder that you can add to your own drink or a sports drink that comes ready-made in a bottle?

Wen: The powder is my preference. . These do-it-yourself options are less expensive, and I prefer brands that don't contain a lot of chemicals or added sugar. However, this is a matter of individual preference. Make sure to carefully examine the ingredients of anything you buy. For example, on the off chance that you don't need added sugar or caffeine, ensure what you're drinking doesn't have these fixings.

 What about drinks with energy? Can these take the place of water?

Wen: This is a significant query. The short answer is that energy drinks are not a substitute for drinking water. Adults should use them with caution, and children should not consume them.

Energy drinks are not the same as sports drinks, which are designed to help you replenish electrolytes and water. Caffeinated drinks are not implied fundamentally to hydrate you. They frequently contain a lot of caffeine in addition to other legal stimulants like guarana and L-carnitine. Caffeine can temporarily give you more energy, but it is also a diuretic, which means it makes you lose water. Additionally, jitteriness, anxiety, and irregular heartbeats can result from excessive caffeine intake.

Energy drinks should not be consumed by children and adolescents, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. In certain examinations, however, as numerous as 30% to half of young people report utilizing caffeinated drinks. I advise parents to differentiate between energy drinks and sports drinks with care. Although energy drinks in particular should be used with caution, neither are required.

In order to properly hydrate, many people only need to drink water.

In order to properly hydrate, many people only need to drink water. 

 What about other beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee? Is it a bad idea to drink an iced mocha or cold brew in hot weather?

Wen: Not necessarily, but people should be aware that these caffeinated drinks might not keep you hydrated and might even make you more dehydrated. You shouldn't stop drinking coffee when it's hot outside because of this. Just be aware of how caffeine affects you and think about drinking more water when you drink beverages with caffeine. read more