Monday, August 7, 2017

6 Tips To Eat & Drink Your Way To A Healthy, Hydrated Body

As I write this, it is 97 degrees outside with a heat index of 109. The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings for the past week with no end in sight. Even by Memphis standards, it’s hot outside.

Like other extreme weather events, excessive heat has caused numerous deaths in the past few years. People who are at greater risk from excessive heat include children, elderly, those already ill, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, diabetics and athletes who train outside.

Lean body mass contains up to 75 percent water while fat only contains between 10 and 40 percent water. Therefore, those who are overweight are also more prone to dehydration.

Since for most of us it’s neither possible nor desirable to stay inside air-conditioned buildings full time, the best defense against the heat is to stay adequately hydrated.

Water not only maintains a safe body temperature during excessive heat or exercise, but it also carries heat away from the internal organs before serious damage can occur, which can lead to heat stroke and even death.


  1. I don't always drink as much water as I should. Brilliant article, Jennifer! Congrats. Thank you for sharing it. There is so much helpful advice.

  2. I've started putting fruit in my water pitchers. I have one with apples and cinnamon and the other currently has oranges. Sometimes I use blueberries and strawberries for a change. The flavor makes the water even more appetizing.


  3. Wow, that's hot! I'm in Pittsburgh and it's been unseasonably cool this month.