This weeks edition of HH101 focuses on the importance of the amount of water that should be consumed during the summer months By Nakeasha Johnson

By Nakeasha Johnson

With summer vastly approaching it is super important to remain hydrated. I understand that a lot of individuals do not like to drink water, but there is more than one way to skin a cat as they say. According to WebMD dehydration is a condition that occurs when the loss of body fluids (mostly water) exceed the amount that is taken in. With dehydration, more water is moving out of our cells and bodies than what we take in through drinking. We lose water every day in the form of water vapor in the breath we exhale and in our excreted sweat, urine, and stool. With temperatures on the rise it is important to be able to identify the signs of dehydration. When you are experiencing the following symptoms you may be dehydrated:

* Increased thirst
* Dry mouth and swollen tongue
* Weakness
* Dizziness
* Palpitations (feeling that the heart is jumping or pounding)
* Confusion
* Sluggishness fainting
* Fainting
* Inability to sweat
* Decreased urine output

Making sure that you get the appropriate amount of water per day is not as complicated as you may think. The easiest way to determine the amount of water you should intake per day, is to drink half of your body weight in ounces. Now I also understand that for some people this may be difficult. My advice is to give your water some pizzazz by adding fruits and/or vegetables. Increasing your intake of water dense fruits and vegetables will also help you meet your daily water intake as well. Listed below are fruits and vegetables that have high water content

Fruits
Watermelon and strawberries: about 92 percent water
Grapefruit: 91 percent water
Cantaloupe: 90 percent water
Peaches: 88 percent water
Pineapple/Cranberries/Oranges/Raspberries. 87 percent water
Apricots: 86 percent water
Blueberries/Plums: 85 percent water
Apples/Pears: 84 percent water
Cherries/Grapes: average of 81 percent water
Bananas: 74 percent water

Vegetables
Cucumber/Lettuce: 96 percent water
Zucchini/Radish/Celery: 95 percent water
Tomato: 94 percent water
Green Cabbage: 93 percent water
Cauliflower/Eggplant/Red Cabbage/Peppers/Spinach: 92 percent water
Broccoli: 91 percent water
Carrots: 87 percent water
Green Peas/White Potatoes: 79 percent water

Now you have all the tools needed to increase your water intake and remain hydrated. Hydration is important to so many processes within the body. With that being said, the lack of hydration is also something that could result in death. Again, with temperatures on the rise you have to pay attention to your water intake. Drink up family and be well!

-Nakeasha Johnson(@NakeashaJ)