The Simple Hydration Hack: Why Two Cups of Water Could Transform Your Health
Drinking enough water is one of those simple habits that's surprisingly hard to stick to. But if you need more motivation to stay hydrated, here’s a compelling reason: it offers more benefits than you might think.
A study found that drinking just 16 ounces of water—about two cups—30 minutes before each of your three main meals can lead to some impressive health perks. Here’s what the researchers discovered:
- Increased feelings of fullness
- Prevented dehydration, which helped manage hunger
- Boosted digestive metabolism by up to 30%
- Reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol
- Supported weight loss
If that’s not enough to convince you, staying hydrated can also enhance your workouts. To avoid performance dips, use the Galpin Equation by Dr. Andy Galpin: divide your body weight in pounds by 30. That’s the number of ounces of water you should drink every 15 minutes of intense exercise. For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, aim for about 6 ounces of water (180/30) every 15 minutes.
Struggling to drink enough water, especially if you sweat a lot? Electrolytes could be your solution. They not only make water more palatable with low-sugar options but also help replenish the minerals you lose through sweat. My go-to hydration drink for this is Scivations Xtend (look it up at an online supplement store), perfect for keeping you hydrated and energized throughout the day. It provides the electrolytes your body needs without any added sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors.
Your muscles and neurons need electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Sweating depletes your body's electrolytes, which can affect performance and recovery.
