Wolfgang Von WineBottleStopper's Guide to Avoiding Dehydration in Your Summer Garden

The best way to beat dehydration in your summer garden is to drink before you get thirsty. If you wait until after you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated.

Water is important to the body at all times, but especially in the summer garden. It keeps the body from overheating. When you work in your garden , your muscles generate heat. To keep from burning up, your body needs to get rid of that heat. The main way the body discards heat in warm weather is through sweat. As sweat evaporates, it cools the tissues beneath. Lots of sweating reduces the body's water level, and this loss of fluid affects normal bodily functions.

If you suspect that you or someone is dehydrated, seek immediate medical attention.

Signs of dehydration include:

fatigue

loss of appetite

flushed skin

heat intolerance

light-headedness

dark-colored urine

dry cough

How to avoid dehydration

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, to avoid dehydration, active people should drink at least 16- 20 ounces of fluid one to two hours before an outdoor activity. After that, you should consume 6 to 12 ounces of fluid every 10 to 15 minutes that you are outside. When you are finished with the activity, you should drink more. How much more? To replace what you have lost: at least another 16 to 24 ounces (2- 3 cups) .  One way to make sure you are properly hydrated is to check your urine. If it's clear, pale or straw-colored, it's OK. If it's darker than that, keep drinking!

Beverages: some hydrate, others dehydrate

Some beverages are better than others at preventing dehydration. Water is all you need if you are planning to be active in the garden, for only an hour or less. If you plan to be gardening longer than that, or if you anticipate being out in the sun for more than a few hours, you may want to hydrate with some kind of sports drink. These replace not only fluid, but also chemicals like sodium and potassium, which are lost through perspiration. Too much or too little sodium and potassium in the body can cause trouble. Muscle cramping may be due to a deficiency of electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium.

Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages

 such as coffee, teas, and colas, are not recommended for optimal hydration. These fluids tend to pull water from the body and promote dehydration. Fruit juice and fruit drinks may have too many carbohydrates, too little sodium, and may upset the stomach. If you're going to drink fruit juices while exercising, you may try diluting them with 50% fruit juice and 50% water first.

Adequate hydration 

will keep your summer garden safer and much more enjoyable. If you need to increase your fluid intake, keep an extra pitcher of water with your fresh garden summer herbs in the refrigerator.