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Hydrate for good health

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Photo: JuYochi/iStockphoto

Want to live a longer and healthier life? Stay well-hydrated, say researchers from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

The National Academies of Medicine recommends that women drink six to nine cups of fluids a day. For men, it’s eight to 12. Here are some tips from NIOSH for staying hydrated, even while working a full day:

  • Drink before you feel thirsty. If you’re thirsty, you’re already behind on fluid replacement.
  • Working in the heat? Drink 8 ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes …
  • But don’t drink more than 48 ounces in an hour. “Drinking too much water or other fluids (sports drinks, energy drinks, etc.) can cause a medical emergency because the concentration of salt in the blood becomes too low,” NIOSH says.
  • Choose water. Energy drinks and sports drinks have a lot of sugar, and they may raise your caffeine levels so high it affects your heart. Alcohol can actually dehydrate you.
  • Drink at shorter intervals. It’s more effective than infrequently drinking large amounts.

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Emma Sullivan
June 14, 2023
This article contradicts your other article: In this article (https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/23595-hydrate-for-good-health) it states Choose water. Energy drinks and sports drinks have a lot of sugar, and they may raise your caffeine levels so high it affects your heart. Alcohol can actually dehydrate you. Whereas in your other article (https://www.nsc.org/getmedia/771fcbcf-7542-4c99-8eeb-37c79d52eb35/tip-sheet-heat-nsm.pdf) it states: Replace salt lost from sweating by drinking a sports drink

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Mir Hasham Mehdi
June 24, 2023
Dear Sir, This article is very important and useful to work in Summer or in Hot Climate with precautions which are given in the article. By adopting this precautions, we can work with safety in the heat or in summer season. For emergency case it is given how to protect the effected person and call on which Number. Best regards, Mir Hasham Mehdi.

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COLLEEN O'MALLEY
June 28, 2024
Great reminder for the summer time.