It's no secret how important it is to stay hydrated, especially this summer. If you don't properly replenish liquids and nutrients and spend lots of time in the sun, you're more prone to sweating and dehydration. There are various ways to stay hydrated that you may not have considered, but -- as is common with online wellness advice -- there's a lot of misinformation out there on hydration.
We are clarifying these fallacies once and for all with the help of experts. These are the hydration myths you need to stop believing.
Myth No. 1: Coffee is dehydrating
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You've probably heard that coffee is dehydrating, so you shouldn't count it toward your fluid intake. This has been proven to be false. Mayo Clinic registered dietitian Katherine Zeratsky tells CNET, "Coffee, tea or other caffeinated products are not absolutely dehydrating, especially if they are consumed regularly. The body can adjust to a certain amount of caffeine, and it has less impact on hydration status."
Coffee is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine output and makes you take more bathroom breaks. You don't want coffee to be your main source of hydration, so make sure to balance it out with water and other hydrating options throughout the day.
Myth No. 2: Food isn't hydrating
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You'll be relieved to know that another way to get hydrated is with the food you eat. By including foods like vegetables, soups and fruits in your diet, you can contribute to your hydration needs. "For the average person, increasing fruit and vegetable intake -- without salt -- can be helpful in improving hydration and overall health," Zeratsky says. Keep in mind it's harder to meet fluid intake simply by eating food because of the volume requirements.
"Focus first on drinking plenty of water and add in hydrating fruits and vegetables to help keep you hydrated," recommends registered dietitian Marisa Moore. Zeratsky advises eating a nutrient-rich diet that is full of minerals or electrolytes. She points out that some of the best foods for this type of diet include nuts, seeds, beans and legumes, a variety of vegetables -- especially green types, among others -- dairy products and fruits. "These provide magnesium, potassium and calcium -- all important electrolytes," she says.
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