Stay hydrated, especially during periods of weird summer weather

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It’s been the summer of heat, fire, flood and enough weather drama to last a lifetime.

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All across Canada, the variances have been astronomical, with drier than usual conditions in the west to major temperature swings in the east – not to mention the bizarre climate conditions hitting the country’s capital all summer long.

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According to Netweather.tv, overall the summer of 2023 had been forecasted to be warmer than normal, and AccuWeather.com forecasters say it’s the summer of wet and stormy across parts of Ontario and Quebec this summer – both not far from the country’s weather reality.

And, although we’re looking at fall in a few weeks, research shows unprecedented weather conditions will continue well into the winter, with the Farmer’s Almanac predicting a stellar year in the snow department.

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It’s a given any type of weather – be it natural or the results of climate change – can affect a person’s body and well-being, whether it’s from forest fires or hot and soggy temperatures.

According to the Government of Canada (canada.ca) website, climate change is affecting health, and will continue to do so in the future. Canadians face a wide range of risk that varies from region to region, due in part to Canada’s large land mass.

Extreme heat alone can cause a variety of health issues, some severe enough to end in injury or even loss of life. Dehydration can force your heart to work harder, and your body core temperature to rise, causing all sorts of havoc – especially in professional athletes. Rule for all athletes is not to reach the point where you feel thirsty – it means you’ve crossed into dangerous dehydration territory. (That’s why you see many hockey players continuously slurping back liquids while playing on the ice – during a game or practice, the average hockey player loses about 1.5 litres of sweat per hour.)

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Heat stroke can impact a person’s cardiovascular and respiratory system as well as cause psychological and mental health issues.

Some events are completely out of a person’s control – fire, flood, tornados – but there are certain things a person can easily do to keep their health under control.

Focusing on health is key, and sometimes it’s something as simple as staying hydrated, especially during periods of weird weather.

According to hsph.harvard.edu, “drinking enough water each day is crucial for many reasons: to regulate body temperature, keep joints lubricated, prevent infections, deliver nutrients to cells, and keep organs functioning properly,” not to mention improving sleep quality as well as mood.

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According to the National Council of Aging (Ncoa.org) the benefits of staying hydrated are massive – everything from improved brain performance (even the mildest form of dehydration can affect everything from mood, memory and reaction time), helping with weight loss, a healthier heart, kidney stone prevention and even dealing with joint pain.

It’s all about regulating your body temperature.

But it’s more than reaching for a glass of cold water with a splash of lemon to get you through day.

Medical experts recommend drinking roughly 11 cups of liquid per day for the average woman and 16 for the guys – “but not all of those cups have to come from plain water,” notes the site, adding liquid can come from a variety of sources, including fruit and vegetable, even tea and broth.

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So – focus on healthy eating, and learn to eat your hydration! This never-ending summer is full of delicious hydration – fabulous foods that’ll help keep dehydration at bay. Clean eating at its best. And eating healthy should be a priority, regardless of the many challenges Canadians face at the supermarket and grocery store today.

Summer is chock-full of fabulous foods perfect to keep the sweats at bay.

According to the registered dietitian at Factor (Factormeals.ca) meal service, summer is chock-full of fabulous foods perfect to deal with the ever-changing weather Canadians live with:

“Cucumbers come to mind, along with celery and even pepper can help with hydration,” note Factor’s culinary experts. Of course, nothing beats a big slice of icy cold, electrolyte-rich watermelon, they add, – which has been on sale in supermarkets across the country recently – and any citrusy fruit, of course.

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Of course, there’s always the lure of downing those big, frothy drinks that you may think are healthy – fruit smoothies, iced coffees and ice cream, of course. All in moderation, but be mindful of the fat and sugar contents of your favourite drinks: A thirst-quenching 8-oz glass of juice can contain a whopping 30 grams of sugar, or about eight teaspoons, and for those who love large cups of iced coffee – these drinks can run you more than 500 calories with some topping 55 grams of sugar – without the whip!

That first sip may be refreshing, but the combination of milk (regardless of type), caffeine and added sweetener is a guarantee you’ll be thirsty again in no time.

If you can’t do with your liquid love affair with your favourite frappe, just check the various coffee companies’ websites and get a handle of what you’re inhaling when you are feeling thirsty.

Tips To Drinking More Water

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov) offers the following tips to help you drink more water and keep you hydrated throughout the year:

– Carry a water bottle with you and refill it throughout the day

– Freeze some freezer safe water bottles. Take one with you for ice-cold water all day long

– Choose water over sugary drinks

– Opt for water when eating out. You’ll save money and reduce calories

– Serve water during meals

– Add a wedge of lime or lemon – this can help improve the taste

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