Stay Hydrated for Good Health

Your body works best to defend you from illness when you’re well hydrated. Ideally, you should drink half your body weight in ounces of fluid each day. Here are some tips for getting your liquids.

• Keep a water bottle in your car, bag, and at your desk to sip throughout the day

• Flavor water with citrus, cucumber, mint or crushed berries to make it interesting and healthful

• Simmer vegetable scraps and strain to create a healthy broth

• Drink fluids at least 15 minutes before or after a meal so stomach acids digest your food best

• Hydrate prior to exercise, and during endurance training, consume 4-8 ounces every 20 minutes of exercise

• Add homemade smoothies and soups to your diet to boost your liquid consumption

• Limit acid-producing drinks like coffee and alcohol

• Avoid soda, which can be high in sugar and other additives (plus, carbonation hinders your body’s absorption of nutrients)