It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It’s also the most dehydrating time of the year. While hydration is paramount all season long, it’s especially important during the winter season. There’s the dry, cold air outside to contend with. If you’re braving the cold inside, you’re being simultaneously warmed and dried out by your heating elements. And then there are the holiday parties and gatherings, which means more indulgent meals and potentially more alcohol consumption. All in all, we need a little extra hydration support during the holiday season. So, as you deck the halls and relish in the magic of the season, make sure to prioritize the habitually overlooked habit of hydration: the true gift that will keep on giving.
Delicious Dehydrants
Outside of contending with the obvious environmental shifts and changes that occur during the colder months, the holidays simultaneously invite us to socialize more and do more, oftentimes on less sleep and fueled by more caffeine (thanks to the lack of sunlight) and more sugar and salt (hello holiday parties) than usual. Throw alcoholic beverages into the mix (which can also be high in sugar and convert to sugar in our body) and our ability to stay properly hydrated becomes even more challenging if we don’t stay on top of it.
Caffeine and Alcohol
Both caffeine and alcohol have a diuretic effect on the body, as they suppress the antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin, which normally helps your body retain fluids (Haye, 2023). So, as you continue to imbibe, your kidneys filter fluids more rapidly, which means your bladder fills up quicker and we all know what that means: bathroom trips. This is why the advice is to alternate one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you consume and to hydrate before you drink your morning coffee. However, if you’re not actively replenishing these lost fluids with liquids that contain adequate amounts of essential minerals, like sodium, potassium, and magnesium, you aren’t actually hydrating and rebalancing your electrolyte levels.
Too Much Sugar and Salt
Beyond beverages, the foods we tend to enjoy more around the holidays tend to be higher in both sugar and salt as well. While salt is an essential mineral, the balance of which is paramount for a whole host of bodily functions and processes to go off without a hitch, too much salt without the counterbalance of other minerals and the proper fluid levels can have an adverse effect. When you eat too much salt, your body pulls water from your cells to maintain fluid balance and properly “dilute” the salt, which can lead to dehydration; however, because of how our body is compensating, we can be dehydrated without feeling thirsty (Ravoka et al., 2017). This same effect also happens when we have too much sugar in our system. To lower and rebalance our blood sugar levels, the body “borrows” water from other cells, which can result in dehydration (Johnson, 2023).
While abstaining from these three delicious dehydrants is the easiest way to lower your risk of dehydration, it’s not always realistic—or fun. By factoring in smart hydration with LMNT, you can enjoy all the holidays have to offer.
Give the Gift of Hydration
Unlike other electrolyte brands, all of LMNT’s products are zero-sugar, free of artificial colors or other questionable ingredients, and are formulated based on the growing body of research that’s revealing that optimal health outcomes occur at sodium levels two to three times government recommendations.
When you’re on the go this holiday season, a flavor from LMNT’s original and convenient hydration variety pack is a quick and simple way to pack a hydrating punch during your day. Simply pour one pack into 16 to 32 ounces of water for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Or, if you want to sip on some holiday cheer as you check off your to-dos, try one of their limited-time Chocolate Medley flavors for a delicious and healthier hot chocolate. Just mix one of the packets with hot water in an insulated to-go mug.
If you’re hosting a gathering at your house, consider LMNT’s canned option: Sparkling. With no sugar, no caffeine, and the same amount of electrolytes as one of LMNT’s original hydration packets, their sparkling beverages make a great soda substitute or mocktail option for your guests. With 1,000 mg of sodium, 200 mg of potassium, and 60 mg of magnesium and four refreshing flavors to choose from—Black Cherry Lime, Grapefruit Salt, Citrus Salt, and Watermelon Salt—you can feel festive and set you and your guests up from hydration success. Simply fill a glass with ice and pour over LMNT Sparkling to get in the holiday spirit.
Receive a free 8-serving sample pack with any purchase here.
Note: If you are hypertensive or pre-hypertensive, consult your physician before using LMNT.
References
Haye, V. (2023, September 18). Why does alcohol make you pee?. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/why-does-alcohol-make-you-pee.
Johnson, J. (2023, September 19). Overview of dehydration: What to know, drink types, and tips. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/dehydrating-drinks
Rakova, N., Kitada, K., Lerchl, K., Dahlmann, A., Birukov, A., Daub, S., Kopp, C., Pedchenko, T., Zhang, Y., Beck, L., Johannes, B., Marton, A., Müller, D. N., Rauh, M., Luft, F. C., & Titze, J. (2017). Increased salt consumption induces body water conservation and decreases fluid intake. The Journal of clinical investigation, 127(5), 1932–1943. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI88530.