May has begun and it seems that ‘Mr. Sun’ wants to roast us Mexicans, since last Friday the 3rd he started the second heat waveso we must be attentive to what the body asks for so as not to succumb to dehydration.
Temperatures of up to 45 degrees in the north of the country, as well as 30 degrees in the metropolitan area of the Valley of Mexico, will cause thirst to hit hard, and for that you have to stay well hydrated.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Water is essential for the human body at any stage of life because it helps regulate body temperature, keeping the skin hydrated and elastic, lubricating joints and organs and maintaining good digestion.
High temperatures cause people to lose more body water through sweating and constant trips to the bathroom.
Paola Farias Oregel, a graduate in nutrition, highlights precisely the importance of staying hydratedbecause the body is made up of at least 80 percent water, and hydration is essential for the functioning of organs and avoid discomforts such as headaches, dizziness, drowsiness or fatigue.
“The best way to hydrate is measured according to the calories you consume, normal for children is half a liter a day, in adults it is liter and a half to two liters, and in older adults from half to a liter, depending on their conditions. How often? It varies, the ideal is to be constantly hydrating and even more so in hot times, since the sun makes us sweat and that causes us to lose sodium,” he explains.
Dehydration causes discomfort such as those previously mentioned, but also others such as dry skin and eyes, as well as blurred vision, excessive thirst, unpleasant breath, among others.
“Also decalcification and poor oxygenation in the brain that can cause dementia, headaches or migraines. It generates extreme dryness on the skin, generates wrinkles, spots, Likewise, not having good hydration causes the legs and arms to become numb, because there is not good blood circulation,” says Paola Farias.
A ‘coquita’ or a ‘chela’ for thirst, or just water?
The heat wave causes too much thirst, and sometimes ‘the bad one’, so we usually resort to drinking the first thing we find or what we crave, mainly soft drinks or beers; However, they are not the best option to be well hydrated.
“Every liquid will generate hydration, but, above all, soda, which is a carbonated drink with sodium, sugar, and artificial colorings, will make you thirstier due to excess sugars; The gas will also cause us to burp, but also dehydration and the sweet taste makes us want more.
“Beer will quench our thirst instantly, but it will cause us to start urinating more, and because it is a liquid that contains malt, barley and yeast, it will make us gain weight, the best moisturizer is natural water.” , or, if we don’t like it, fruit but without sugar,” details Paola Farias.
Regarding the use of electrolytes, The nutritionist recommends that they only be used for those who are high-performance athletes, or if they suffer from severe diarrhea, since daily use is not a good idea, because it could cause fluid retention or kidney stones.
