Drink UpWhy You Really Need to Pay Attention to Hydration During Winter
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Ask Keri: Do I only need to worry about staying hydrated during the summer?
Keri Says: As soon as the weather warms up and the sun gets stronger, everyone starts talking about hydration. It makes sense: you sweat a lot during the summer, so the water you’re losing is super obvious.
During winter, on the other hand, a lot of people are just walking around dehydrated…without realizing it.
You didn’t think managing your H20 intake was important when it’s cold outside? Here’s what you need to know.
Why you may be more dehydrated during winter
The bottom line is: Your body needs the same amount of water year-round.
Of course you do need to replace more water when you’re sweating a lot, which may happen more frequently in the summer. However, during colder months, when we do sweat, it turns into vapor and doesn’t sit on the skin. So while you’re still losing water, you don’t get the visual (or sticky) cue to drink up. Breathing cold, dry air also causes the body to lose a significant amount of fluid.
And the most important point: During winter, people feel less thirsty, regardless of how much water their body actually needs. So, in a lot of ways, it’s more important to be actively on top of your hydration needs.
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Why hydration is important during winter
What’s the big deal, though, if you drink a little less water in February compared to July?
Here’s a quick reminder of why H2O is oh-so-important: Water makes up 60 percent of your body weight, and every system in your body depends on it to function. Water flushes toxins and waste out of organs, helps carry oxygen and nutrients to cells, and provides a healthy environment for tissues.
During periods of dehydration, your body can’t carry out normal functions and begins to feel tired and drained. In other words, if you get plenty of sleep and eat a super healthy breakfast to try to boost your energy, it won’t matter if you’re not getting enough water. You’ll still feel like you’re dragging. Finally, water is super important for weight loss.
RELATED: Do I Need to Drink Water to Lose Weight?
How to stay hydrated during winter
I always recommend drinking 64 ounces of water every day, no matter what, but there are other ways to stay on top of adequate hydration when it’s chilly. If you just want an upgraded way to sip that includes more flavor and added benefits, I’m currently loving Halo Sport. Not only does the super clean, organic sports drink skip added sugar, it delivers electrolytes for enhanced hydration and important minerals your body needs to function efficiently.
Soup, for instance, contains lots of water, and who doesn’t want their spoon in a delicious bowl of butternut squash broccoli rabe soup at lunchtime all winter? Tea can also be hydrating, whether you’re drinking green for the antioxidants or chamomile to help you get to sleep.
Finally, citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits, which are at their best during the winter, are mostly water. Eat ‘em up for a hydrating snack.
(Photos: Shutterstock)
The Nutritious Life Editors are a team of healthy lifestyle enthusiasts who not only subscribe to — and live! — the 8 Pillars of a Nutritious Life, but also have access to some of the savviest thought leaders in the health and wellness space — including our founder and resident dietitian, Keri Glassman. From the hottest trends in wellness to the latest medical science, we stay on top of it all in order to deliver the info YOU need to live your most nutritious life.
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