Hydration is the number one building block for good fitness.
Dehydration is the enemy of all mankind. You can watch your protein intake, adjust your workout style, train with the best equipment, utilize personal trainers…all of that. However, the first step for any person going to the gym is to drink water. The adult human body is roughly 60% water and if you’re dehydrated, virtually every part of your body and ability to work out is compromised.
Some people find that no matter how much water they drink, they still experience the achiness and fatigue of dehydration. That’s because, even if you’re drinking water, there are lots of things you could be eating or doing that are causing you to dehydrate.
Our team at Generation Iron is going to break down some things that can cause dehydration, and the list may shock you!
5 Things That Might Be Making You Dehydrated
Here are 5 easy things, ranked from least to most surprising, that can cause dehydration:
5. High-sodium foods
We all know that sodium, a.k.a. salt, causes dehydration. But did you know that sodium is an additive in many foods you would not expect it to be? The FDA does not do a very good job in regulating how much sodium corporations are allowed to put in our food. It’s in pretty much everything from chicken noodle soup to pasta sauce.
Try to cut down on canned meats and foods, anything cured (salami, prosciutto, ham), cereal, and most commercially packaged pasta sauces. These types of foods all have astronomical levels of sodium relative to their nutrient count because its used as a preservative.
However, sodium is something that you need to have in your diet, as it provides the right amount of nutrients to keep you from cramping during your workouts. That being said, many people consume things like sports drinks or pickle juice shots to make sure they are getting the right amount of sodium in. Nutricost Pickle Juice Shot is one of the most popular options for this!
Need those electrolytes for staying hydrated and free of cramps? Check out Nutricost Pickle Shot.
4. Heavy Alcohol Consumption
The pain of a hangover doesn’t just come from drinking too much the night before, it’s also because you’re dehydrated. Drinking a lot is a double-whammy of dehydration because not only does alcohol act as a diuretic, it also tricks the mind into thinking you’re drinking fluids and therefore you feel less thirsty, even as you dehydrate.
If you binge drink, you continue to get drunk after you fall asleep, so even if you might not feel that drunk when you go to bed, your body is continuing to dehydrate all night long without you knowing it. Always make sure to drink water when you drink and try to drink in moderation or avoid it entirely.
3. Air Travel
Being at a high altitude can also cause dehydration. Taking a commercial flight for a few hours or more can really cause someone to dehydrate. At a higher altitude where there is less humidity, the human body retains less of its natural water.
Always drink water before, during, and after you take a flight, especially if you are going to be working out or competing somewhere when you reach your destination. The effects of dehydration can linger for days, or even weeks if you don’t take time to replenish yourself!
2. Low-Carb Diets
This one might shock the pros out there, but it’s true. Carbs actually store a lot of the water weight in our bodies. So, if you’re in a cutting phase where you’re eating almost no carbs, you’re also losing a substantial amount of water along with that. Make sure to drink extra water to offset the balance, especially if you have only recently started a low-carb diet.
1. Stress
Even if you’re doing everything right — you could literally be drinking gallons of water a day — if you’re stressed out, you won’t retain water as well as if you weren’t. Being stressed out causes adrenal fatigue and causes the body to function less while in a variety of ways. You can manage your stress levels through meditation and mindfulness techniques. The benefits will probably go beyond just hydration, too!
The Best Supplement for Hydration
While drinking water and staying on top of your own hydration is the ideal thing to do, supplementation can always help get you the results you want at a faster rate. So what is the best supplement for hydration?
Transparent Labs Hydration
Transparent Labs Hydrate is a sugar-free electrolyte powder featuring bioavailable minerals, taurine, SenActiv®, and coconut water powder to keep you hydrated.
Transparent Labs Hydrate is a sugar-free electrolyte powder formulated with bioavailable minerals, taurine, SenActiv®, and coconut water powder to support hydration throughout the day and during workouts. Unlike traditional sports drinks and many other electrolyte powders, it contains no added sugars, artificial colors, or artificial sweeteners.
Instead, Transparent Labs Hydrate is naturally flavored and sweetened with stevia, offering a refreshing, sugar-free way to enhance your daily hydration.
Price: $29.99
Wrap Up
Overall, being dehydrated is something you absolutely need to avoid if you want to hit your fitness goals. That being said, make sure you are getting enough water throughout the day!
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
