As we roll into the hottest days of the year, hydration really matters.
But did you know that drinking too much plain water can lead to a condition known as water intoxication or water poisoning, which can be dangerous to your health? Yep, it’s true!
I have already seen two news stories this summer about this very thing! What troubles me is that simply adding electrolytes to your water, my personal favorite Ultima, can help prevent this very thing from happening!
We’ll dive into the dangers of diluting your body with only water and teach you a fun way to stay hydrated and healthy during the heat of summer.
When Water Doesn’t Cut It
Hydrating our bodies requires more than water. Whether you’re baking in the summer sun or getting your workout in, some of us sweat up to 10 liters per day.
Although sweat is mostly water, it also contains salt (a.k.a. sodium) and other essential minerals known as electrolytes.
When you sweat, you lose both water and electrolytes. Water aids in digestion, keeps you energized, flushes toxins, and can even replenish some electrolytes. But on hella-hot summer days water alone won’t cut it. You need to replenish your electrolytes too.
Hot yoga isn’t the only thing that can throw our electrolyte balance off kilter. Excessively working out, rapid or extreme weight loss, and an imbalance diet high in unhealthy fats and low in protein can cause an electrolyte imbalance.
Drinking too much alcohol, getting the stomach bug, and certain conditions, like kidney disease, can also deplete our electrolytes.
What Happens If You Drink Too Much Water?
Did you know that drinking too much plain water can lead to water intoxication? This condition (sometimes called “water poisoning”) occurs when someone drinks an excessive amount of water in a short amount of time, and it most often happens when the weather reaches peak temperatures.
Here are a few dangers that can happen if you down too much water:
- Dilution of electrolytes: Electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium, are essential minerals that help maintain the balance of fluids in and out of cells and support proper nerve and muscle function. Drinking an excessive amount of water without adequate electrolyte intake can lead to an electrolyte imbalance, which can cause various health issues like muscle weakness, confusion, and in severe cases, seizures.
- Hyponatremia: Hyponatremia is a medical condition characterized by low levels of sodium in the blood. Consuming too much water without replenishing sodium levels can lead to hyponatremia. Symptoms may include headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and, in severe cases, swelling of the brain (cerebral edema) and potentially life-threatening consequences.
- Impaired kidney function: The kidneys play a crucial role in filtering waste products and regulating fluid balance in the body. Drinking excessive amounts of water can put a strain on the kidneys as they attempt to process and eliminate the excess water.
- Increased urine output: Consuming too much water can lead to a frequent need to urinate. This can disrupt daily activities and may lead to potential electrolyte imbalances, as mentioned earlier.
Will Electrolytes Impact My Weight Loss?
You betcha! If you’re dehydrated (which, now you know, means that your body is low on both water and electrolytes), weight loss slows. Dehydration can increase cravings for sweets, carbs, and salty snacks. It’s your body’s way of trying to replenish its electrolyte stores fast. Answering your body’s cry for electrolytes with an electrolyte-rich drink or food could calm your cravings.
What Else Can Electrolytes Do For Me?
Electrolytes are crucial for so many of our physical functions. Most importantly, they control the amount of water in our cells, ensuring that they don’t shrivel up or burst. Electrolytes also control the constant impulses in our nerve cells that keep our hearts beating, our lungs breathing, and our brains working.
That’s not all. Electrolytes help balance blood acidity and pressure. They rebuild damaged tissue. They flush out toxins and enhance our exercise performance and recovery.
You’ll feel a lot different too. When your body has the electrolytes it needs, you’ll experience more energy, have fewer headaches, sleep better, and maintain brighter moods.
The Electrolyte Supplement That Beats Them All
There’s one electrolyte supplement that I drink almost every day. Ultima provides six critical electrolytes and trace minerals but doesn’t contain any calories, sugar, or carbs. It does the hard work of replenishing my electrolytes while I sip away on my ice-cold grape refresher guilt free.
I keep a container of the pink lemonade flavor in the cabinet for the kids. When you grab yours, use the code AMANDA20 at checkout for 20% off your first order!
Beat the Heat With Electrolyte Popsicles!
Beat the heat and replenish your electrolytes with these sweet, easy Electrolyte Popsicles. These have zero calories, no sugar, and they taste so good!
Here’s the recipe:
- Mix 1-2 scoops of your favorite Ultima electrolyte mix-in with water and stir well.
- Pour the mix into a freezer pop mold like this one. (I also love these single use molds that are great to throw into your cooler for an on-the-go icey at the pool or lake.)
- Let your popsicles freeze overnight.
So, if you’re burning hotter than a blue flame this summer, don’t just chug more water. Add in a scoop of electrolytes, like the ones from Ultima, to keep your electrolytes balance and your body properly hydrated. Throw together some popsicles while you’re at it. You’ll love their fresh flavors frozen.
