Feeling thirsty? Skip the beer, drink some water first

Summer is here and warmer temperatures mean onemay need to think a bit more about consuming fluids.

A registered dietician with the SudburyandDistrict Health Unit saysits important to stay hydrated for several reasons.

If you happen to be an athlete, it helps with athletic performance,TammyCheguis said.So if youre dehydrated before going into an activity, you wont do very good at it.

Cheguis said proper hydration levels help keep one's blood pressure normal.

It also keeps thebody's internal temperate at proper levels and will help prevent heat related illnesses.

Dehydrationcan cause a person to faint, get moody, suffer heat stroke or heat exhaustion, Cheguis said.

If youre already really thirsty, youre probably already slightly on the dehydrated side, she said.

Other symptoms of dehydration include dry skin and mouth, dark-colouredurine and exhaustion.

How much do you need?

Cheguis said there is no magic number to know exactly how to stay hydrated, and added it depends on a person'sage, gender and how physically active a person may be.

So if you think of an eight-year-old, they may need upwards of about 1.25litres of fluid a day, where as an adult may need three litres a day, she said.

To be hydrated, Cheguis said water isnt the only source.

You have to remember you get fluids from water or coffee and tea, and milk and juice, she said.You also get water from food.

Cheguis warnedagainst turning to an alcohol based beverage such as beer to hydrate. Beer is about 90 per cent water and about 5 per cent alcohol.

The problem with alcohol is that alcohol is a diuretic, she said.So it makes you want to go to the washroom so actually, youre losing body water.

And, although reaching for a sports drink after physical activity may seem ideal, Cheguis said its not always necessary.

If you have exercised pretty intensely for at least 45 to 60 minutes, youre probably going to need a sports drink, she said.

[Drink] water first and then if youve exercised intensely and youre losing a lot of fluids [drink a] sports drinks.