Is your hydration strategy is simply to drink more water on hot days?

It's time to up your hydration game!

What’s Missing?

You actually need a little salt and a little sugar in your water to help with water absorption.

Is there such a thing as too much water?

Too much of a good thing IS a bad thing.

Hyponatremia can be mistaken for heat exhaustion or heat stroke. It's typically caused by overconsumption of fluids causing an excess of total body water. It's more commonly seen in athletic endurance events and in the military population.

People with hyponatremia can have symptoms of collapse, dizziness, weakness, and in severe cases mental status changes - just like heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Someone with heat stroke and heat exhaustion need rapid cooling. Someone with hyponatremia needs to address their sodium imbalance.

DIY Electrolyte Drink Recipe

Try adding a little salt and either pure maple syrup or honey to your water. Throw in some herbs - try a handful of mint or basil.

Valuable Resource

Check out this podcast episode with Dr. Stacy Sims as she discusses hydration in the heat:
08:10 - about Stacy
10:36 - Stacy on hyponatremia
16:22 - Plain water does not hydrate
17:45 - What about sugar?
23:00 - Fluid absorption
28:30 - Salt tablets
30:00 - Sports drink alternative