Hydration + Gut Health 101

We’ve all been there when the thermometers are melting and so are we. Excessive sweating, headaches and dizzy spells are no fun. Summer is amongst us, and we’re all being reminded that the dark side of juicy lounging under the summer sun is the challenge of hydration. (And yes, mosquitoes bites - which we wish we could solve for you by some magical ingredient in our SuperTeas!) Dehydration unfortunately often also brings along its sidekick of blocked digestion, so we’re sharing our tips on hydration and gut health so that you can keep your summer days bright and fluid.

Drinking more water doesn’t necessarily make you more hydrated.

Read that last sentence a few more times… 

Three in four adults in the U.S. are chronically dehydrated, but drinking more water isn’t always the answer. H2O is just one part of the hydration equation. The secret (that everyone should know) lies in making sure that your body is prepared to absorb the water you’re drinking. You don’t want your water consumption to be for nothing! But if your body is lacking the necessary minerals to absorb the water you’re drinking, then your goal of a gallon a day might not be doing as much as you think it is. 

Electrolytes: The Key to Absorption

Electrolytes prep your cells to draw water in and absorb it, so that your body not only has high enough fluid levels, but maintains osmotic balance (the balance of salt and water in your body’s fluids). And electrolytes don’t have to come in highly sweetened, artificially flavored packets. The best sources of electrolytes are in natural whole foods, like coconut water, lemon and salt.

Coconut Water contains natural electrolytes like potassium, magnesium and sodium. It’s proven to rehydrate as effectively as sports drinks (and without the high fructose corn syrup)!

Lemon Juice is high in potassium and also contains calcium, magnesium and sodium. Additionally, it stimulates digestion and supports gut health, which you can read on to learn more about.

Sea Salt promotes increased water absorption.

You can add these ingredients to your water at home, or for a quick & elevated solution, you can find all of them in the 3-in-1 natural hydration blend of our SuperTeas. Hydration doesn’t have to be so complex; it can be as instant as a scoop and a shake.

Trace Minerals: The Powerful Ingredient You May Not Have Heard About

Trace minerals are small amounts of essential nutrients that your body needs, but can’t produce on its own (National Academies Press, 1989). Our bodies rely on them for all basic functions, including absorbing water and nutrients (and the beating of our hearts), but most of us are deficient in at least one of them. Trace minerals include the minerals that make up electrolytes, but they also include iron, zinc, copper, selenium and others. When you consume them at the same time as your water, it’s an instant boost for your cells to absorb the water’s benefits and maintain a balanced water pressure.

Give Your Gut a Glow Up

For most of us, our guts can use all the support possible, especially when we’re up against many threats to a healthy gut - including daily stress, harsh medications and processed food options that don’t have our guts’ best interests in mind. Probiotics are one of the best ways to show your gut some love and support. BC30 probiotics have been clinically proven to improve digestive issues, such as abdominal pain and bloating, as well as providing fitness recovery support and boosted immunity. 

Probiotics help to balance the friendly bacteria (which is depleted in many of us!) in your digestive system, so that your gut can function properly to absorb the nutrients in the food you’re eating - and so that you can enjoy it without a stomach ache after! We believe that a daily dose of probiotics is best, which is why they’re formulated into our SuperTeas, as your daily reminder to love your gut.

Author

Henny Rau

Henny is a coastal California-based writer. When not writing, she spends her days forging trails amongst the hills & fields of Marin county, paddling into waves or sharing garden meals with friends.