Routes in hot weather can give even the best drivers a hard time. Here are methods to help prevent dehydration!
Summer car trips definitely have their charms. Covering hundreds or thousands of kilometers on your own is not only a great challenge, but also a capital experience and an opportunity to observe beautiful sights. However, when we rely only on ourselves on the highway, we must be prepared for many eventualities. This is not just about such mundane issues as buying light bulbs or checking the efficiency of the car. We, too, are a complex machine, the correct operation of which must be properly taken care of.
In the summer, there is a lot of talk about proper hydration, and on the road, when we need to maintain maximum focus and composure, deficiencies in this regard can take a heavy toll on us. That’s why taking in the right fluids while touring in hot weather is so important. But what does proper hydration really mean? What are the best ways to keep our bodies in good shape?
Water the most important issue
It will come as no surprise to say that under normal circumstances the best substance to avoid dehydration will be pure water. We shouldn’t be afraid to take water before and during our travels, even if we fear that this will cause us to make frequent visits to the toilet. It is better to take breaks than to risk the appearance of water deficiencies in our bodies. The best choice here will be non-carbonated mineral water – its intake will not cause bloating, and the replenishment of minerals contained in such water is also very important for the proper functioning of our body.
Isotonic drinks – great for longer routes
If our route is not a multi-hour expedition, water alone should be sufficient. However, if we know that we are embarking on a journey that will take us a whole day or even more, it is worth stocking up on other products that will be able to measurably help us. This includes, for example, isotonic drinks, which contain many minerals and vitamins, and are formulated to hydrate the body in the best possible way. Maintaining maximum attention over a long distance is more tiring for our bodies than it may first appear. An isotonic is a very good choice in this case.
What to avoid, and what else can be useful?
In theory, any liquid will keep us hydrated to some degree. However, if we do not want to go to roadside toilets every now and then, it is worth limiting sugary or carbonated drinks, which are often diuretic in nature. Coffee or energy drinks can certainly help us during the difficult moments of a trip and we should not give them up completely, but it is worth remembering at the same time that their hydration properties are very low. If we reach for caffeine in any form, let’s also supplement with other liquids that are better in terms of hydration.
main photo: unsplash.com/averie woodard
