Are you dealing with hot flushes, night sweats or just sweating more than usual this summer?

In this weather it's really easy to become dehydrated, especially if you are dealing with hot flushes, night sweats or just sweating more than normal.

Are you dealing with hot flushes, night sweats or just sweating more than usual in this warmer weather?

In this weather it's really easy to become dehydrated, especially if you are dealing with hot flushes, night sweats or just sweating more than normal.

You should be aiming to drink around 1/2 your body weight in ounces each day and during warmer weather or exertion you may need more.

Given that many people do not drink enough in the first place, when the temperature increases it can tip us over the edge and then we start to feel unwell with symptoms such as nausea, lethargy and fluid retention (especially in the feet and ankles).

Water and electrolytes are essential to your health. At birth, your body is about 75 to 80 percent water. By the time you’re an adult, the percentage of water in your body drops to approximately 60 percent if you’re male and 55 percent if you’re female.

The volume of water in your body will continue to decrease as you age.

Fluid in your body contains things such as cells, proteins, glucose, and electrolytes.

Electrolytes come from the food and liquids you consume. The major electrolytes in the body include: sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, phosphate and sulphate.

Salt is a key ingredient in getting electrolytes into the body.

Be aware we're talking about healthy salt here, not that nasty table salt.

Real salt such as Himalayan and Sea salt is VITAL for the body and should be consumed daily.

Table salt is HARMFUL to the body and should not be consumed.

Thirst is not a measure for hydration either - if you are thirsty that usually means you are already dehydrated.

Being hungry on the other hand is often an indication that you are thirsty! Weird huh?!?!

HOMEMADE ELECTROLYTE DRINK RECIPES

Store bought electrolyte drinks are filled with horrible artificial ingredients that no one, let alone menopausal women should be putting in their bodies.
It's really easy to make your own as you will see here:

Grapefruit Twist
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
4 drops grapefruit essential oil (or 1/4 cup grapefruit juice)
2 cups water (distilled, filtered or raw coconut water)
2 tbsp raw honey
1/8 tsp Himalayan pink salt
Put all ingredients in a blender and pulse for about 30 seconds. Serve and drink immediately.

Strawberry Lemonade
1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
4 drops lemon essential oil (optional)
2 cups water (distilled, filtered or raw coconut water)
2 tbsp raw honey
1/8 tsp Himalayan pink salt
Put all ingredients in a blender and pulse for about 30 seconds, or until strawberries are pureed. Serve and drink immediately.

Lemon Limeade
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 cups water (distilled, filtered or raw coconut water)
2 tbsp raw honey
1/8 tsp Himalayan pink salt
Put all ingredients in a blender and pulse for about 30 seconds. Serve and drink immediately.

These drinks will benefit your health rather than compromise it.