What’s the Best Way to Rehydrate—Besides Drinking Water?

When workouts leave you drenched, or when it's so hot outside that your clothes cling to your body like Saran wrap, start drinking. If you don't rehydrate, your body and brain can suffer; mild dehydration can tank your mood, concentration and energy levels.

But not all fluids are created equal—and water isn't always the best beverage for the job.

“When we drink, fluids are not available to the body immediately but take some time to be absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream,” says Bridget Benelam, a public health researcher with the British Nutrition Foundation. How fast this happens is determined, in part, by what's in the fluid.

That’s because when you sweat, water isn’t the only thing your body is losing.

Human sweat contains many different metabolites, including lactate, amino acids and fats, as well as sodium. “Drinks containing some carbohydrate in the form of sugars and electrolytes, usually sodium, can be absorbed by the body more quickly than pure water and therefore allow rehydration to happen more rapidly,” Benelam says. Think Gatorade.

On the other hand, even though your body is losing sodium and some other things as you sweat, water alone really will get the job done for the typical sweaty adult, says Lawrence Armstrong, director of the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Connecticut. “Virtually no studies have shown benefits of sport drinks or carbohydrate-containing beverages unless you’re exercising continuously for more than 50 or 60 minutes,” he says.

Assuming you eat normally and aren't on a super-restrictive cleanse or elimination diet, you’re probably not at risk for any sodium or electrolyte shortages, Armstrong explains. The volume of liquid you consume is the important thing. “During exercise, the average person ought to be drinking about a half a quart of water every 30 minutes, or a full quart in an hour, to replace the fluids they’re losing,” he says. (If you’re worried you’re not drinking enough H20, monitor your urine. If it’s dark yellow, you need to drink more.)

But if you’re the type who does exercise vigorously for long periods, “a complex source of nutrients is likely to have a positive impact on fluid retention,” says Ben Desbrow, associate professor of sports nutrition at Griffith University’s School of Allied Health Sciences in Australia. Desbrow’s research has compared different milk-based beverages to water and sports drinks, with a surprising champ.

“Milk is an ideal recovery beverage,” he says. “It is well retained and is a great source of protein, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals.”

MORE: Can Chocolate Milk Really Help Your Workout?

More research backs him up on this. A 2016 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that milk—full-fat, but especially skim—was more hydrating than water, sports drinks, coffee, tea and several other common beverages. Sports drinks do get the job done—especially if you’ve really been pushing yourself and you’re sweating heavily. But milk outperforms them.

You don’t have to pound a half-gallon of it after a workout. Getting some nutrients along with your H2O is the important thing, Desbrow says. You could drink an 8-ounce glass of milk followed by water. Or, if you’re not interested in dairy, drinking water with a little food will help your body absorb more water in a short period of time.

You can take a different route to rehydration, too. Rather than worry about what you’re drinking, just make sure your beverage is accompanied by a bite to eat, like a granola bar or a sandwich. Another recent study found that the type of beverage you reach for to rehydrate doesn’t really matter if you’re drinking it with food.

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Parents who believe in 'alternative nutrition' convicted after baby dies of malnutrition

A Belgian court on Wednesday convicted two parents in the death of their infant, who succumbed to malnutrition and dehydration because his parents were firm believers in unconventional nutrition.
The court gave both a suspended six-month sentence because they failed to take adequate action to take care of baby Lucas, who died at seven months old with organs shrunk to half their size and without any fat around them.
Judge Mieke Butstraen said the demise of the baby was "the result of the systematic offer of food that was not suitable."
Because of that, "his health was seriously impeded and he eventually died" three years ago, weighing only 9lbs 7oz, barely 2lbs 3oz more in weight than when he was born.
The case has caused a major uproar about the use of alternative medicine and the responsibility of parents in raising their children.
The parents could still appeal the sentence, but the court said it already showed some leniency by giving the minimum six-month sentence.
"It is clear that the defendants have already been severely punished because they need to proceed with life in the knowledge that they are responsible for the death of their son, who they truly loved," Butstraen said.
The parents own a natural dietary shop and backed alternative food to the fullest, applying it to their newly born third child.

Even though the baby was not diagnosed with lactose or gluten intolerance, the parents suspected Lucas had that, and started experimenting with different alternatives like rice, quinoa and buckwheat milk. They did not consult a doctor, court papers show, and stopped going to social care for babies.
Instead they took advice from clients at the shop and looked on the internet.
"The defendants knew the precarious health situation of their child, yet refused to call in medical help in time," the judge said.
On the day of his death, when his situation quickly deteriorated, Lucas was first taken to a homeopathic doctor. He was dead when he finally got to a hospital.
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The Oil that Treats Psoriasis, Fungus, Cold Sores, Acne and Much More

Tea tree oil is one of the best natural cures a person would have. Also known as Melaleuca oil, the tea tree oil is collected from the Melaleuca alternifolia leaves.

The secret behind its power and quality if often due to the fact that this oil consists of over 92 different components.
Tea tree oil is mostly grown on the Northeast coast of New South Wales, Australia and to Southeast Queensland.
When it first got discovered, by researcher Arthur Penfold in the 1920s, it was immediately subjected for analysis. Those found that this oil possesses extraordinary health benefits that escalated its popularity immediately. Today, there are a total of eight different tea tree species, all used in the medical and cosmetic industry.
One of the biggest pluses from using Melaleuca oil in the everyday life is its ability to filter and purify the organism from toxins.
Back in the day, ancient folks used the leaves to perform inhalation that served the purpose of cleansing. Also, the leaves were used as a wound treatment and could help with sunburns and irritation due to their cooling qualities.
Tea tree oil takes good care of the skin, leaving it refreshed, hydrated and young. If taken orally, it boosts the immunity and gives extra energy boost.
Qualities of Melaleuca alternifolia
Here are all melaleuca properties you need to know:

• Analgesic
• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Anti-infectious
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Antiparasitic
• Antiseptic
• Antiviral
• Decongestant
• Digestive
• Expectorant
• Immune stimulant
• Insecticidal
• Neurotonic
• Stimulant
• Tissue regenerative

To get the best out of this oil, here is how to use it for different purposes.
To Use It Topically:

• You can apply oil to toenails and fingernails after showering to keep them healthy.
• Also, you can use a couple of drops and mix them with your regular face cleansing tonic to improve the complexion structure
• To treat irritated skin, you can add a couple of drops of the oil mixed with another base oil such as jojoba oil, almond oil, or coconut oil
• Getting rid of germs and bacteria can be achieved by mixing 30 drops of tea tree oil with 10 drops of lavender oil, clove oil, and 8 oz. of aloe Vera gel.
• Clean your house and yard by mixing a couple of drops of this oil with water. Spray it around the house and clean with dry towel after.
• The oil can also keep your dental hygiene in check. Just pour a few drops of the tea tree oil onto your toothbrush and clean it well.

To Use It Aromatically:

• Cleanse the air you breathe by adding a few drops to a diffuser
• Rub a few drops on your palms and breathe in the oil to enable expansion of the airways.

To Use It Internally:

• Mix one drop of tea tree oil with 4 oz. water
• To strengthen the immune system, combine one drop of the oil with water, warm tea, citrus beverage, or vegetable juice. You can also add coconut or olive oil to the mix.

More uses of tea tree oil:

• Acne
• Boils
• Earaches
• Cold sores
• Chickenpox
• Halitosis
• Bacterial infections
• Fungal infections
• Congestion and respiratory tract infections
• Vaginal infections
• Lice
• Insect bites and stings

Reminder: Store tea tree oil far from children’s reach and avoid eyes and ears contact. Pregnant women, breastfeeding moms or severely ill people should consult a doctor before using this treatment.
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