Haar Shares Expertise on Staying Hydrated
As summer weather will soon arrive, a TIME article focuses on staying hydrated. Providing adequate amounts of fluid to replace what’s being lost on a daily basis is key. “As we lose water through breathing, perspiration, urine, and bowel movements, our water supply must be constantly replenished,” says Clinical Associate Professor and Chairperson for the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Mindy Haar, Ph.D., RDN. While fluids outside of water can help to hydrate, some should be avoided. “Soft drinks with added sugar can add hundreds of empty calories to daily intake,” says Haar. She also advises to avoid drinks or powders with added sugar. “If your exercise session is under one hour, water will suffice,” she adds, further noting that if you work out for over one hour, you could opt for a sports drink—but drinking water and eating a piece of fruit, like a banana, will replenish lost electrolytes just as well.