Summer Hydration Tips (if you don't like to drink water!)

We've all heard how important it is to drink water. Depending on where you live (like drier Colorado), it's even more important.

I often remind students to stay hydrated for the benefit of the vocal tract and vocal cords (which is why I have the large water pitcher and cups in the studio). But did you know that, according to the US Governments Special Topics page, "water serves a number of essential functions to keep us all going:

• A vital nutrient to the life of every cell, acts first as a building material.

• It regulates our internal body temperature by sweating and respiration

• The carbohydrates and proteins that our bodies use as food are metabolized and transported by water in the bloodstream;

• It assists in flushing waste mainly through urination

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• acts as a shock absorber for brain, spinal cord, and fetus

• forms saliva

• lubricates joints

In addition, age, gender, and percentage of body fat all affect water content in the body. "[B]abies have the most, being born at about 78%. By one year of age, that amount drops to about 65%. In adult men, about 60% of their bodies are water. . . . In adult women, fat makes up more of the body than men, so they have about 55% of their bodies made of water," because fat tissue does not have as much water as lean tissue.

But what if you really hate . . . or at least strongly don't like, to drink water??? What's a person to do? Stay tuned! Over the next few weeks, I'll share 6 fruits & vegetables that will help keep you hydrated. (But you'll still need to drink SOME water!)