What Really Keeps Us Hydrated?

Hydration is an essential component of maintaining both physical and mental balance in the body. We all know we should drink water daily, but is it enough to just consume water, or are there other factors involved? This is where electrolytes come into play, especially those present in alkaline water, which also has antioxidant properties.

The Role of Water in Hydration

Water makes up about 60% of the human body and plays vital roles such as regulating body temperature, transporting nutrients, eliminating toxins, and maintaining fluid balance within cells. However, when we sweat, breathe, or excrete waste, we lose more than just water; we also lose electrolytes.

What Are Electrolytes?

Electrolytes are essential minerals that carry an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids like blood. The main electrolytes in our body include:

• Sodium (Na+): Helps regulate fluid balance and is involved in muscle function.
• Potassium (K+): Crucial for cell function, especially in muscles and nerves.
• Magnesium (Mg2+): Involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including blood pressure regulation.
• Calcium (Ca2+): Essential for muscle contraction and cell communication.

These electrolytes are key to maintaining proper fluid balance and cell function. Dehydration occurs when we lose more water and electrolytes than we replenish, leading to fatigue, confusion, cramps, and in severe cases, organ failure.

Alkaline Water: Enhanced Hydration

Alkaline water has gained popularity in recent years due to its purported health benefits, including its ability to improve hydration. Alkaline water has a higher pH than regular water, making it less acidic. This type of water often contains added electrolytes, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which can enhance hydration more effectively than plain water.

How Do Electrolytes Improve Hydration?

Studies have shown that the presence of electrolytes in water can accelerate fluid absorption in the intestines and improve water retention in the body. This means that water with electrolytes (like alkaline water) can help you rehydrate more quickly after intense physical activity or in hot weather conditions.

Alkaline Water as an Antioxidant

An added benefit of alkaline water is its potential antioxidant properties. Alkaline water is thought to act as a natural antioxidant by neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to aging and various chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.

One animal study found that alkaline water helped reduce oxidative damage in the liver, suggesting that consuming it could have protective effects on organs by reducing oxidative stress. Although more human research is needed to confirm these effects, these initial findings are promising.

Is Alkaline Water Really Better?

While alkaline water may offer additional benefits like electrolyte replenishment and antioxidant effects, effective hydration does not solely depend on the type of water you drink, but on how much and how consistently you stay hydrated.

General Hydration Recommendations:

• Drink water throughout the day, not just when you're thirsty.
• Consume electrolytes, especially if you're exercising or in hot environments.
• Consider alkaline water if you're looking for a hydration source that also provides essential minerals.

Conclusion

What truly keeps us hydrated is not just water itself, but the combination of water and electrolytes. Alkaline water, with its added essential minerals, may offer a more complete solution for maintaining fluid balance in the body and combating oxidative stress. In the meantime, the key is to drink water regularly and listen to your body’s signals, especially in situations where fluids and minerals are lost.

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References:

• Armstrong, L. E. (2007). Assessing hydration status: the elusive gold standard. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 26(5 Suppl), 575S-584S.
• He, Y., Li, X., & Wei, W. (2013). Potential antioxidative properties of alkaline reduced water. Journal of Food Science, 78(6), R835-R840.
• Koh, E., & Choi, K. S. (2008). Effect of alkaline water on the oxidative stress system. Nutrition Research and Practice, 2(2), 88-92.