Prolonged Heat Hydration: Ensuring Proper Water Intake in Hot Weather

Southern Vietnam has recently experienced a record-breaking heatwave, leaving people feeling hot and uncomfortable. In such conditions, after being exposed to the sun or engaging in vigorous physical activities, the body often loses water quickly and the sensation of thirst intensifies. Many people have the habit of wanting to immediately quench their thirst with a cold glass of water. However, do you know the proper way to drink water in such scorching weather?

Let's explore some common mistakes and the correct way to hydrate to safeguard your health during these hot days!

Common Mistakes in Hydrating During Hot Weather:

1. Drinking Too Much Water Immediately:

Drinking excessive water suddenly when feeling fatigued is the most common and harmful mistake. When we consume too much water abruptly, the body cannot efficiently process the excess water, leading to the risk of water intoxication. This is especially crucial after intense workouts or returning from the sun when the body has lost sweat and needs to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes. Instead, wait a bit after exercising for the body to recover. When drinking water, sip it slowly, bit by bit. This method ensures effective water absorption and avoids potential health issues.

1. Avoiding Coconut Water After Sun Exposure:

Coconut water is often considered a good choice for hydration in hot weather, but it's actually a common mistake to drink it immediately after returning from the sun. When exposed to the sun, the body loses water and may feel fatigued. Dehydration also lowers blood pressure. According to traditional Eastern medicine, coconut water is cooling in nature and can reduce blood pressure and soften blood vessels. Therefore, drinking coconut water when fatigued may further decrease blood pressure, causing dizziness, nausea, or even fainting. Hence, it's advisable to refrain from drinking coconut water after sun exposure or heavy sweating. However, if you're wondering if it's okay to drink coconut water to cool down in the summer, the answer is yes. To properly quench your thirst with coconut water, wait a bit for your body to stabilize its heart rate.

1. Drinking Cold Water Immediately After Prolonged Sun Exposure:

While cold water is refreshing and tempting to quench your thirst after being under the sun, it's still essential to reconsider this action because it's a fundamental mistake! In reality, cold water doesn't effectively lower body temperature as many people think, and you shouldn't drink too much cold water right after sun exposure or intense physical activity. Drinking cold water immediately after sun exposure can lead to undesirable consequences. The temperature difference between cold water and the body can shock the digestive system, impairing food digestion and causing stomach discomfort. Cold water can also constrict blood vessels in the stomach and intestines, reducing blood flow and hindering water and nutrient absorption.

Instead, the correct approach is to drink water at room temperature or lukewarm water after sun exposure. Lukewarm water aids faster water absorption and provides energy for the body to recover effectively.

Correct Hydration Practices During Hot Weather:

• Always Carry Water: It's essential to carry a personal water bottle to drink when needed because dehydration can lead to fatigue, low blood pressure, and even fainting.

• Water Temperature: Drink water at room temperature or slightly warm water. Avoid drinking cold water.

• Electrolyte Replacement: When the body loses water (due to sun exposure, sweating, diarrhea, etc.), it's essential to replenish electrolytes with beverages such as milk, coconut water (avoid when fatigued), fruit juices, electrolyte drinks, and bottled ionized water like Pocari Sweat.

• Hydrating Beverages: There are various beverages to help you feel cooler and more refreshed in hot weather, such as cooling herbal teas, chilled fermented fruit drinks rich in probiotics, or artisanal beers to quench your thirst on hot summer days.

In Conclusion

CHUS hope through this article, you have become aware of the essential considerations when hydrating in the current scorching weather. Proper hydration not only helps quench your thirst but also ensures the balance of water and electrolytes in the body, thereby safeguarding your health and enhancing resistance to the risks posed by hot weather.

Furthermore, on CHUS you can find a variety of hydration products such as fragrant herbal teas, fermented fruit drinks rich in probiotics, or artisanal beers to beat the heat on hot summer days.