The Importance of Hydration: Why Hydration is Essential for Your Body

Welcome to your complete hydration handbook, where we'll dive deep into the importance of keeping your body quenched and thriving. Hydration isn't just quenching thirst – it's key for health and vitality.

Natural energy drinks, whether they're a simple cup of green tea with a splash of zesty lemon juice or a ready-to-drink iced coffee, offer a refreshing burst of flavor without the added sugar. But do they actually hydrate your body as well as water?

This article explores how staying hydrated impacts your energy levels, cognitive performance, and overall well-being. Plus, we'll spill the tea on why reaching for water over that second cup of coffee benefits your body (and why tea might be better than both). So, if you're ready to discover a true taste of health and unlock the countless benefits of staying hydrated, grab a glass and let's get started!

Hydration 101

Hydration refers to the balance of fluids in your body to support vital functions. The human body relies on hydration for everything from regulating temperature and transporting nutrients, to lubricating joints and flushing out toxins. Experts recommend consuming approximately eight glasses of water per day, though individual needs may vary based on factors like activity level and climate. Staying hydrated not only quenches your thirst but also boosts energy levels, enhances cognitive function, and promotes overall vitality.

The Impact of Hydration

When you don't drink enough water, your body is at a disadvantage. When you are severely dehydrated, it goes into crisis mode, scrambling to cope with the imbalance. But even mild dehydration can have an impact. Here's a snapshot of what happens when you skimp on hydration:

• You may start feeling fatigued, dizzy, and sluggish.
• Your cognitive function takes a hit, impairing focus, concentration, and memory.
• Muscle cramps and joint stiffness become more common as lubricating fluids diminish.
• Your immune system weakens, leaving you vulnerable to illnesses and infections.

Staying hydrated is like giving your body a refreshing boost of vitality. It optimizes virtually every bodily function, from digestion and metabolism to circulation and detoxification. Hydration is especially crucial pre-workout (or before any activity that gets you sweating!), enhancing performance and preventing fatigue through dehydration.

And water isn't the only important ingredient for hydration. Electrolytes (minerals that carry an electric charge) are key. That's why you'll see them included in sports drinks, along with some added sugar for an energy boost. They regulate fluid balance in the body, ensuring proper hydration levels. Put simply, they help your body hold onto water at a cellular level.

They also support essential functions like nerve signaling, muscle contraction, and maintaining pH balance. Without enough electrolytes, your body may struggle to retain water effectively, leading to dehydration.

So, water plus electrolytes is the key to hydration, which is key to optimal well-being. Simple!

Energy - Drink vs Food

You need 11 to 15 cups of water per day to stay hydrated - so why do experts recommend only eight cups? Experts recommend only eight cups of water because we get some hydration from the foods we eat, like fruits enjoyed as an afternoon snack. These delicious options contribute to our overall fluid intake.

Staying hydrated provides an energy boost, helping combat the dreaded afternoon slump. Whether through water or food, adequate hydration keeps you energized and focused - without hydration, you'll start to feel sluggish, tired, and weaker than usual.

For an extra energy boost, consider natural energy drinks like Zest's electrolyte powders. These homemade energy drinks provide sustained energy with natural caffeine, fueling your inspiration and keeping you going strong. Caffeine, with its mild diuretic effect, won't dehydrate you, making it a safe choice for an extra energizing boost in smoothies or other beverages.

"Research suggests that drinking beverages with caffeine does not cause excess fluid loss or dehydration, so you can enjoy these drinks in moderation." - Harvard Medical School

This means that if you need to rehydrate during the day and boost your energy simultaneously, you have a choice of electrolyte powders as well as ready-to-drink energy teas. Did you know that Zest Tea has more caffeine than coffee?

Coffee may hydrate your body and be packed with caffeine, but it doesn't have l-theanine. Without this cognitive-boosting amino acid (more on this next), coffee comes on with a huge amount of energy and crashes just as fast. If you're rehydrating for energy, coffee is not ideal!

Cognitive Performance

In addition to boosting your natural energy level, staying hydrated can boost your cognitive performance. From studies, we know that hydration levels influence cognitive performance across different age groups. Mild dehydration tends to impact mood more significantly than cognitive abilities in adults, leading to sleepiness and reduced well-being - haven't we all experienced that in the afternoon slump? However, when dehydration is induced by fluid restriction combined with heat or exercise (AKA, forgetting to have your sports drink before a workout), cognitive impairments may occur.

This means it'll be harder to focus on proper form during your workout, or just concentrate on assignments when you get back to your desk. Now, which drinks are best for rehydrating and boosting cognitive performance?

Drinks like green tea and yerba mate, enhanced with a little lemon juice for zing, are good choices. Green tea contains l-theanine, promoting relaxation without drowsiness. Studies have found that l-theanine helps attention by affecting how glutamate works in the brain. When combined with caffeine, it is particularly potent for boosting cognition and can deliver a balanced energy boost.

At Zest, we combine these natural ingredients with non-GMO flavors for a tasty way to enhance focus and alertness. A clean energy drink with natural ingredients offers sustained energy without the crash associated with sugary sports drinks or coffee!

How to Stay Hydrated Throughout the Day

Keeping your hydration levels up throughout the day is key for that energizing feeling. With the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to forget to drink enough. But we have some simple strategies you can implement to ensure you stay hydrated and energized. Alongside your usual natural energy drinks and food with high water content, incorporating these habits into your routine will give you the power to tackle whatever the day throws your way.

Count Your Energy Drinks!

Counting the number of drinks you are drinking throughout the day can significantly enhance your hydration efforts. This is a great habit to start because the quality of the drink doesn't matter - it's not about drinking pure, spring water until you drown!

By keeping track of each beverage, whether it's water, orange juice, green tea, or natural energy drinks, you boost awareness of your hydration habits. This simple practice helps you monitor when you drink, how much you drink, and whether you're forgetting to hydrate during busy periods. Even if you're too pressed for time to maintain a detailed drink diary, a quick daily tally on a post-it note can suffice - it only takes a few seconds to produce. This method creates mindfulness around your hydration routine, making it easier to ensure you're consistently meeting your body's fluid needs and staying energized.

You may even find that by tracking when you habitually reach for a drink each day, you can pinpoint the best time to have your energy drink for sustained energy.

Set Reminders

Another effective strategy after tracking how much you drink is to set reminders.

Setting reminders to drink water throughout the day can be a game-changer for staying hydrated, especially if you tend to forget. Whether it's a phone alarm, a sticky note on your desk, or an app designed for hydration tracking, these prompts serve as gentle nudges to keep you sipping your favorite natural energy drinks.

Furthermore, ensuring your fridge is stocked with healthy beverages like water for electrolyte powder, ready-to-drink teas, or natural energy drinks can prevent you from reaching for sugary sodas impulsively when your reminder is triggered. After all, opting for beverages and energy drinks without artificial sweeteners or flavors, and perhaps choosing plant-based energy drinks for a cleaner caffeine boost, can help maintain stable energy levels without sacrificing your health.

By integrating this strategy into your daily routine, you're more likely to stay hydrated and energized throughout the day - no more dips or crashes in your energy levels.

Try Electrolytes

We've mentioned electrolytes several times so far, but with many nutrients and vitamins provided through food, is there much advantage in also adding them to your drinks? In short, yes.

First, if drinking water is boring and you think a glass of water is just crying out for a touch of lime juice or refreshing cordial, electrolytes add a pop of flavor. At Zest, for example, our electrolyte flavors include Pineapple Blueberry, Lemon Lime, and Blackberry Lemonade.

Beyond flavor, electrolyte powders in your drink are a convenient way to fuel your body when you don't have time for a full meal. Timing your consumption of electrolyte powders to your workout can help you keep up your energy and hydration without consuming lots of calories. Just look for electrolyte powders with a medium to low sugar content.

If your diet is lacking fruits and vegetables (no judgment here), then electrolyte formulas with added vitamins can be a good way to enhance your health. Along with our natural energy drinks, all the electrolyte powders at Zest tea are fortified with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and a range of B vitamins.

How to Hydrate with Natural Energy Drinks

Hydrating with natural energy drinks is a smart and delicious way to maintain clean energy throughout the day. The best energy drink will rehydrate your body and give your brain an extra boost with both caffeine and l-theanine.

Opting for beverages made with natural ingredients like green tea, natural caffeine, and electrolytes ensures you're fueling your body with quality hydration. Zest functional beverages offer the best of both worlds, providing a refreshing boost without artificial additives. With options like green tea-based drinks, organic plant-based ingredients, and low to no sugar formulas, Zest is perfect for diverse tastes and preferences. We've even been known to convert a few coffee drinkers!

By incorporating Zest into your hydration routine, you can stay energized and refreshed while enjoying the benefits of non-GMO, plant-based ingredients.

Remember, hydration is vital, so make sure to prioritize staying hydrated throughout the day to feel your best!

Why You Should Ditch Traditional Energy Drinks

Now, let's discuss why some energy drinks fall short.

Traditional energy drinks that are full of sugar and other diuretic ingredients, like taurine, that can actually have a negative affect and make dehydration worse. Zest, on the other hand, has perfected the clean energy drink: non-GMO flavors, low to no sugar, gluten-free, vegan, keto-friendly, and still packed with more caffeine than coffee.

Obviously, we're a little biased. But when it comes to refreshing and rehydrating your body, we naturally think we have the best on offer. After all, who wants to drink artificial flavors and chemicals when they can enjoy the benefits of natural flavors and get an energy boost to see them through the afternoon?

Visit our store at LiveZesty.com to find hydrating and functional beverages.

FAQs

Are store bought energy drinks healthy?

Whether store-bought energy drinks are healthy depends on their ingredients. Some may be loaded with sugar and artificial additives, however, natural energy drinks, such as Zest, offer gluten-free and natural caffeine alternatives that prioritize taste without compromising your well-being. Always check the label for ingredients and sugar content to ensure you're making a healthy choice for your body, wherever the drink is sold.

Which energy drinks are the most hydrating?

While traditional energy drinks may lack hydrating properties, options containing electrolytes can offer both energy and hydration. Look for high-quality drinks with added electrolytes to replenish fluids lost during activity. Alternatively, homemade smoothies with hydrating ingredients like coconut water or watermelon can provide a little energy while keeping you hydrated - just be careful of the sugar content!

Why is hydration important?

Hydration (whether it's through water or natural energy drinks) is crucial because it supports essential bodily functions like the immune system, regulates body temperature, aids in digestion, maintains electrolyte balance, and promotes overall health and well-being.

What is the best drink for hydration?

The best drink for hydration is one that combines replenishing fluids with added benefits. Green tea stands out as a great hydrating option, offering antioxidants and a clean energy boost. Another excellent choice is electrolyte powder, which not only provides long-lasting hydration but also has a refreshing taste and clean energy boost.

What can I drink to rehydrate quickly?

For quick rehydration, water is your go-to, especially when paired with Zest electrolytes for optimal replenishment. Fruit juices like orange juice can also be effective due to its citric acid and vitamin C content, which can aid in hydration and provide a natural energy boost. However, be cautious of added sugars or concentrated formulas!