Staying Hydrated with the BEST water and electrolytes

M

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. I only recommend products I personally use and love!

My college-aged daughter recently called me and asked, “Mom… is hangxiety a real thing?” While I hadn’t ever heard the term, I knew exactly what she was talking about.  That angsty feeling one might get the day after drinking.  Anxiety exacerbated by a hangover.  Hangxiety.  She and I went on to talk about how those feelings are definitely real, and I went on to advise her to get outside and in the fresh air, incorporate some physical activity for the day, and drink lots of water.  REHYDRATE.

I am composing this blog on the second of February—33 days after the start of my experimentation with abstaining from alcohol.  After a successful 31 days in dry January, I’ve made the decision to continue because of the positive effects of doing so.  I’ve slept better, dropped several annoying, nagging pound that were hanging around in areas I didn’t want them to, and an improved mental well-being because I pocketed the “hangxiety” when I dropped the rosé.  And the bubbles.  And the fireball…

“Drink water” is my go-to universal solution in parenting and, well, life in general.  There’s nothing much better than a tall glass of water to soothe the soul and quench the body.  But the kind of water you’re drinking makes a difference.  While the grab-and-go kind is convenient and easy, our single-use plastic habit we humans unfortunately have is creating a big ol’ mess on our Mama Earth—and no matter how much we make the effort to recycle our single-use plastics, the truth is, it takes hundreds of years to break down (which we won’t see in our lifetime), and the chemicals involved (BPA, PET, and phthalates to name a few of the big nasties) are detrimental to our health, and the health of the environment in which we live (this could be a whole other blog post).  All of this seeps into our tap water, and even with your city’s attempt to provide you clean water, taking extra steps to ensure what you’re drinking truly is clean is necessary.  

Staying hydrated by drinking an adequate amount of water offers the following health benefits:

• Maintains Proper Body Function:

• Cell Function: Water is essential for the proper functioning of cells.  

• Temperature Regulation: Adequate hydration assists the body in regulating temperature through processes like sweating.

• Promotes Overall Health and Well-being:

• Digestive Health: Water plays a key role in digestion, aiding in the breakdown of food and the absorption of nutrients. It helps prevent constipation and supports a healthy digestive system.

• Joint Health: Proper hydration helps maintain the lubrication of joints, reducing the risk of joint pain and discomfort.

• Skin Health: Adequate water intake contributes to healthy skin by keeping it hydrated and promoting elasticity.

• Supports Physical Performance and Energy Levels:

• Muscle Function: Water is vital for muscle function. Dehydration can lead to muscle cramps and impair physical performance during exercise or daily activities

• Energy Production: Staying hydrated supports energy metabolism. Water is involved in the process of breaking down carbohydrates and fats to produce energy.

While I have tried a lot of different versions of a water filter, I feel so strongly about my favorite that I have chosen to be an affiliate for the company.  My favorite water filter is, by far, the AquaTru Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier.  AquaTru is a countertop reverse osmosis filter that is independent lab certified to remove 83 contaminants, including lead, chlorine, radium, and nitrates.

Price: My favorite model, the AquaTru Classic, starts at $449.  Depending on your preferences, there are WiFi and alkaline options that could take that grand total to $519. It is an investment, for sure, but completely worth it.  I am such a big fan of mine so much that I travel with it when it makes sense to do so.  Click on this link and save some money when you invest in AquaTru: Save $100 with this link! You’ll never have to buy bottled water again!

Benefits of your investment in Aqua Tru:

With AquaTru, you can transform your tap water into pure, delicious water you can trust. Get pure, delicious water right at your fingertips without ANY installation or plumbing hookups. Filters are long-lasting and easy to change, saving you time and money. Avoid using up to 4,500 plastic water bottles before a single filter change. 

AquaTru’s 4-stage filtration process uses a pre-filter to remove large particles like sediment and rust, followed by an activated carbon filter to remove chlorine.  Water then runs through a reverse osmosis filter to remove contaminants like lead, arsenic, chromium-6 uranium, nitrates and others, followed by one last pass through an activated coconut carbon block filter to remove compounds like rocket fuel, prescription drug residue, and PFAS.  The result is water that tastes clean (because it is!).

Features of the AquaTru Classic model:

• No installation or plumbing

• Patented 4-stage Ultra Reverse Osmosis® technology

• Certified to NSF standards to remove contaminants, including lead, arsenic, PFAs, fluoride, chlorine, nitrates and many more. Total of 83 contaminants removed/reduced.

• Filters last from 6 months to 2 years

Some families opt for the under-counter model because the classic model's tank only holds about three quarts and has to be manually refilled. It also takes up counter space and requires an electrical outlet nearby. If you're out of counter space or have a bigger family, the under-counter model or free-standing model (think office water cooler) may be the wise choice for your family.

You can see all of the amazing options at the Aqua Tru Website <—(Save money by using this link!)

While we’re discussing hydration, I also want to take time address electrolytes.  

Electrolytes are essential for various physiological functions in the human body. These are minerals that carry an electric charge and play a crucial role in maintaining balance within cells and in bodily fluids. The primary electrolytes in the body include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, phosphate, and bicarbonate.

Here are a few reasons electrolytes are important:

• Fluid balance: Electrolytes help regulate the balance of fluids in and out of cells, tissues, and organs. This balance is critical for maintaining proper hydration and preventing dehydration.

• Hydration status: Electrolytes, especially sodium, help the body retain water. They influence fluid movement in and out of cells, ensuring that the body stays properly hydrated.

• Nerve function: Electrolytes are involved in transmitting electrical signals between nerve cells. Sodium and potassium, for example, play a key role in generating and transmitting nerve impulses, which are essential for muscle contractions and various bodily functions.

• Muscle function: Electrolytes are crucial for muscle contraction and relaxation. Imbalances in electrolytes can lead to muscle cramps, weakness, and spasms.

• Blood pressure regulation: Sodium and potassium play a key role in regulating blood pressure. Proper electrolyte balance is necessary for maintaining normal blood pressure levels.

• Cellular function: Electrolytes are involved in various cellular processes, including nutrient transport, waste elimination, and the maintenance of cell membrane potential.

But be careful—not all electrolytes are created equally. Electrolyte drinks are often packaged with promise, but if you’re not paying attention, you’re taking in unnecessary and eye-raising amounts of sugar (which will make you thirsty), artificial color and flavorings (chemicals), and wasteful carbs.  READ YOUR LABELS.  But to save you some time doing so, I want to share why my go-to is LMNT electrolytes (click this link to get yours)—little packets of salty goodness that you can add to your (reusable) water bottle to help maintain hydration.

Stay Salty, says LMNT.  It’s a tasty electrolyte drink mis that is formulated to help anyone with their electrolyte needs and is perfectly suited to those intermittent fasting, following low-carb, whole food, and/or gluten-free diets.  They’re salty (we need it), but with out the sugar or the dodgy ingredients.

My go-to flavors are anything of the citrus family (grab the grapefruit when you can; they don’t stick around long) and the raspberry.  The chocolate salts are a fun option to drink heated—maybe a good mix-in with your coffee or make a “hot cocoa” drink if you’re craving something sweet after dinner.

The quickest way to your first box of these amazing, easy-to-travel-with electrolyte packets is here: LMNT website.  You’ll be so glad you found these “salty AF” electrolytes.

Enjoy.  And if you ever have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at meredith@bigloveyogalife.com

Big love!

Meredith