Latest news with #hydration
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Is Lemon Water Actually Good for You? What It Helps With—and What It Doesn't
Lemon water has been popular for a while, but recently it's been praised on TikTok and Instagram for everything from melting fat to "detoxing" your body and giving you perfect skin. Is this citrusy ritual really the miracle elixir it's hyped up to be? Here's a grown-up look at what lemon water is, what it can actually do for your health, and what is pure social media fiction. Spoiler: Lemon water won't make you thinner, younger, or even immune to colds—but it might help you stay hydrated, which is always a win. At its core, lemon water is exactly what it sounds like: plain water with fresh lemon juice added. Most people use half a lemon per glass, and you can drink it hot or cold. Nutritionally, the temperature doesn't matter much—just avoid adding lemon to boiling water, which can degrade its vitamin C. So, what benefits are real, and which are wishful thinking? We asked two registered dietitians to weigh in on the facts and the Harbstreet, MS RD, LD, registered dietician and founder of Street Smart Nutrition Abbey Sharp, RD, registered dietician, YouTube creator, and host of the Bite Back podcastRelated: 4 Big Benefits of Drinking Kombucha, According to Experts Nutritionists Cara Harbstreet, MS RD, LD, of Smart Street Nutrition, and Abbey Sharp, RD, host of the Bite Back Podcast are clear: your liver and kidneys are already doing a great job detoxing your body. 'Lemon water is very unlikely to suddenly lead to weight loss or changes to body composition,' says Harbstreet. 'Your metabolism is complex and resilient.' Sharp agrees, adding that claims about lemon water 'alkalinizing' the body or curing disease are not backed by science. "The reality is, your body runs a very tight ship when it comes to our blood pH and nothing we eat can change that,' she says. Despite what influencers say, there's no data proving that lemon water burns fat or boosts metabolism. Drinking water (with or without lemon) can lead to a slight uptick in energy expenditure, but that's just your body working to absorb and regulate the water's temperature. If lemon water replaces a sugary drink, it might help reduce calorie intake, but the lemon itself isn't doing the heavy lifting. Lemons do contain vitamin C—about 30 to 50 mg in one whole fruit—but if you're just using a wedge or half a lemon, you're only getting a fraction of that. "Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that's readily found in fruits and vegetables. If you include those in your diet, you likely have little reason to worry about not consuming enough," says Harbstreet. She adds that she wouldn't recommend relying solely on lemon water to provide vitamin C in your diet. While lemon water isn't magic, starting your day with it can be a good thing, especially if it helps you stay hydrated. "If preparing a cup of warm lemon water helps you drink more water because it becomes a soothing ritual to start your day, fantastic," says Sharp. She also notes that hydration in the morning supports digestion and may help with regularity, especially if you're drinking warm water. Just don't confuse bowel movements with detoxing—your body's already handling that on its own. There are a few things to be mindful of. Lemon juice is acidic, and over time, it can weaken tooth enamel. Sharp recommends using a straw and rinsing your mouth with plain water afterward. People prone to heartburn or acid reflux may also find lemon water irritating, especially on an empty stomach. Lemon water is hydrating, flavorful, and may encourage you to drink more water overall. It contains a small dose of vitamin C and antioxidants. It can be part of a soothing morning routine and possibly support digestion for some people. 'Just don't expect it to 'detox' you, shrink your waist, or replace a balanced diet,' says Sharp. Related: 12 Infused Water Ideas for Cool, Refreshing Hydration This Summer If you enjoy lemon water, keep drinking it. It's a simple, refreshing way to stay hydrated and may offer a small nutrient boost. As long as you know it's not a magic bullet to glowing skin, effortless weight loss, or a detoxified body, it's nevertheless a healthy habit. It's water—with a twist. And that's perfectly fine. Read the original article on Martha Stewart
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Is Lemon Water Actually Good for You? What It Helps With—and What It Doesn't
Lemon water has been popular for a while, but recently it's been praised on TikTok and Instagram for everything from melting fat to "detoxing" your body and giving you perfect skin. Is this citrusy ritual really the miracle elixir it's hyped up to be? Here's a grown-up look at what lemon water is, what it can actually do for your health, and what is pure social media fiction. Spoiler: Lemon water won't make you thinner, younger, or even immune to colds—but it might help you stay hydrated, which is always a win. At its core, lemon water is exactly what it sounds like: plain water with fresh lemon juice added. Most people use half a lemon per glass, and you can drink it hot or cold. Nutritionally, the temperature doesn't matter much—just avoid adding lemon to boiling water, which can degrade its vitamin C. So, what benefits are real, and which are wishful thinking? We asked two registered dietitians to weigh in on the facts and the Harbstreet, MS RD, LD, registered dietician and founder of Street Smart Nutrition Abbey Sharp, RD, registered dietician, YouTube creator, and host of the Bite Back podcastRelated: 4 Big Benefits of Drinking Kombucha, According to Experts Nutritionists Cara Harbstreet, MS RD, LD, of Smart Street Nutrition, and Abbey Sharp, RD, host of the Bite Back Podcast are clear: your liver and kidneys are already doing a great job detoxing your body. 'Lemon water is very unlikely to suddenly lead to weight loss or changes to body composition,' says Harbstreet. 'Your metabolism is complex and resilient.' Sharp agrees, adding that claims about lemon water 'alkalinizing' the body or curing disease are not backed by science. "The reality is, your body runs a very tight ship when it comes to our blood pH and nothing we eat can change that,' she says. Despite what influencers say, there's no data proving that lemon water burns fat or boosts metabolism. Drinking water (with or without lemon) can lead to a slight uptick in energy expenditure, but that's just your body working to absorb and regulate the water's temperature. If lemon water replaces a sugary drink, it might help reduce calorie intake, but the lemon itself isn't doing the heavy lifting. Lemons do contain vitamin C—about 30 to 50 mg in one whole fruit—but if you're just using a wedge or half a lemon, you're only getting a fraction of that. "Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that's readily found in fruits and vegetables. If you include those in your diet, you likely have little reason to worry about not consuming enough," says Harbstreet. She adds that she wouldn't recommend relying solely on lemon water to provide vitamin C in your diet. While lemon water isn't magic, starting your day with it can be a good thing, especially if it helps you stay hydrated. "If preparing a cup of warm lemon water helps you drink more water because it becomes a soothing ritual to start your day, fantastic," says Sharp. She also notes that hydration in the morning supports digestion and may help with regularity, especially if you're drinking warm water. Just don't confuse bowel movements with detoxing—your body's already handling that on its own. There are a few things to be mindful of. Lemon juice is acidic, and over time, it can weaken tooth enamel. Sharp recommends using a straw and rinsing your mouth with plain water afterward. People prone to heartburn or acid reflux may also find lemon water irritating, especially on an empty stomach. Lemon water is hydrating, flavorful, and may encourage you to drink more water overall. It contains a small dose of vitamin C and antioxidants. It can be part of a soothing morning routine and possibly support digestion for some people. 'Just don't expect it to 'detox' you, shrink your waist, or replace a balanced diet,' says Sharp. Related: 12 Infused Water Ideas for Cool, Refreshing Hydration This Summer If you enjoy lemon water, keep drinking it. It's a simple, refreshing way to stay hydrated and may offer a small nutrient boost. As long as you know it's not a magic bullet to glowing skin, effortless weight loss, or a detoxified body, it's nevertheless a healthy habit. It's water—with a twist. And that's perfectly fine. Read the original article on Martha Stewart
CBS News
7 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
The heat is on in North Texas temperatures as the heat index hits the triple digits
Hot and windy for the next few days across North Texas Hot and windy for the next few days across North Texas Hot and windy for the next few days across North Texas Happy first weekend of Summer! The heat is on, and the sun is shining. The clouds Saturday morning will dissipate gradually, and high temperatures will be in the mid-90s with winds from the south, gusting around 30 mph Saturday afternoon. The actual temperature is seasonably hot, but due to the abundance of moisture at the surface, the heat index value will be in the triple digits during the peak heating of the day. A few isolated showers and storms will be possible in the early evening for the southeastern counties this weekend, but most of North Texas will stay dry. A ridge of high pressure is dominating in the upper levels of the atmosphere, allowing for the heat and dry conditions to persist. This will be the case in the extended forecast. Highs in the mid-90s and a breezy southerly flow will be present over the next seven to 10 days. During the summer heat, be sure to take precautions if headed outdoors for an extended amount of time. Wear sunscreen, drink plenty of water and enjoy cooling off in the pool!
The Sun
12 hours ago
- The Sun
The Spanish love these three drinks to keep them cool in summer – here's how to find them in the UK
WHILE the UK is set to hit 30C this week, us Brits are still not as good at coping with hot weather as Spaniards. And when it comes to drinks, Sangria might seem as Spanish as a siesta when it comes to beating the heat, 4 4 But there are three drinks that are little known here that Spaniards favour to keep hydrated when the sun is out. The most family-friendly of the three is the non-alcoholic horchata de chufa, which has a creamy consistency like a milkshake, but is made from chufas or tiger nuts, which are a root. It's packed with iron, potassium and antioxidants and often flavoured with cinnamon or lemon. I first encountered it when I visited relatives living in Alboraya, on the outskirts of Valencia, where tiger nuts are grown in the fields and where the most popular horchata parlours, known as horchateria, are based. My grandma took one mouthful and declared that it was a drink that could send you mad, so I think it's fair to say that it might be a bit of an acquired taste. But for many Valencians, it's up there with paella as giving a little taste of their city. A lovely spot to enjoy it is at the Mercat Colon near the Turia, which is a gorgeous 100-year-old art nouveau market hall in the city centre, renovated and now used to house bars and shops. Orxata Daniel, one of the most popular horchaterias, has a base there so you don't need to catch the metro out of the city centre if you want to try the drink the Spanish go mad for. You can also buy it pre-bottled in the UK now (£14.95 for two on Amazon) although it's not a patch on the freshly made drink. If you're after a thirst-quencher that includes something a bit stronger, then Agua de Valencia is a potent cocktail that's fairly easy to knock up at home, with ingredients easily bought at supermarkets here. It's another drink that uses what the Valencians find in abundance in their lands, but this time the key ingredient is orange juice. Oh, and cava, gin and vodka, of course. When I first tried this delicious cocktail on a bar crawl through the bohemian district of Rusafa, next to the main city train station, I had no idea quite how much booze it contained, thanks to the fresh orange juice used as a mixer. Safe to say, I certainly discovered just how alcoholic it was when it came to the next day's hangover. I even had it as a signature drink at my hen do as it's a real crowd-pleaser and one that suits most people's taste buds, if not their tolerance of alcohol! To find it in the UK, restaurants like Bar + Block or Iberica, which have a number of eateries across the country. 4 One drink that really is a taste of summer for Spaniards across the country is tinto de verano. In the same way that we might enjoy a white wine spritzer on a sunny day, this is their equivalent, but with red wine. It's often made with either gaseosa soda or lemonade and the name translated means summer red wine. This is probably the closest to the sangria that we Brits know and love when we head abroad, but a little bit less alcoholic and so better for keeping hydrated in the heat without risking a hangover. Most Spanish restaurants will serve it, including popular ones like Al-Andalus Tapas Bar in Oxford or The Ginger Pig in London. Hopefully the warm weather is here to stay for a while now it's finally arrived, so you can't really go wrong with trying out Spain's top tipples to find your favourite. It's a little taste of the Med but without even leaving your own back garden. In the mean time, we've found the cheapest places for an Aperol Spritz in Europe. 4
News.com.au
17 hours ago
- Health
- News.com.au
The ultimate rebrand: How electrolytes became Australia's newest obsession
Electrolytes are having a moment in Australia – whether it's powders, ready-to-drink beverages or gummies – and it seems they're not just for athletes anymore. Walk into any supermarket, pharmacy, or gym, and you'll find hydration products promising to quench your thirst, boost your energy, and keep you focused. What was once a niche market for elite athletes has evolved into a trendy wellness phenomenon, with electrolytes now marketed as a daily staple to fitness and health-focused consumers. In 2022, the global demand for flavoured and functional water was valued at $50.3 billion (AUD $77.6 billion), a figure expected to nearly double by 2030. In Australia, the sports and energy drinks market, which includes electrolyte-enhanced beverages, is also booming. According to the IMARC Group, the market reached 133.5 million litres in 2024 and is projected to grow to 226.7 million litres by 2033, with an annual growth rate of 5.58 per cent. But what actually are electrolytes? And do we really need them as much as our favourite influencers espouse? What are electrolytes Electrolytes are essential substances that have a natural positive or negative electrical charge when dissolved in water. They help your body regulate chemical reactions, maintain the balance between fluids inside and outside your cells, regulate nerve and muscle function and help maintain proper pH in the blood. Your body gets electrolytes from the foods you consume, with sodium, for example, found in table salt, or potassium in bananas. You can notice if you're low in electrolytes, as the symptoms will be similar to dehydration, including muscle cramps, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and nausea. You can lose electrolytes through excessive sweating, vomiting and diarrhoea. The benefits Dr Zac, a leading GP, explains that while water is essential for hydration, drinks with added electrolytes can be more effective at hydrating the body in certain contexts. 'Plain water is quickly absorbed and excreted, especially if you drink it on an empty stomach or when not dehydrated,' he tells 'But drinks with electrolytes – like oral rehydration solutions or sports drinks – help your body retain fluids longer. These electrolytes pull water into your cells and maintain a healthy balance in the blood, which can improve hydration efficiency.' He also emphasises the significance of osmolality, which refers to the concentration of particles, such as salts and sugars, in a solution. 'Drinks with slightly higher osmolality than blood plasma, such as oral rehydration solutions, stay in the body longer and hydrate more effectively,' he notes. For most people, however, water is enough for daily hydration. However, if you are sweating heavily or engaging in gruelling workouts, feeling unwell, or need to rehydrate efficiently, something with electrolytes and nutrients will 'outperform water' alone, he explained. The risks Despite their benefits, not everyone needs to supplement with electrolytes daily. Dr Zac points out, 'In most daily situations, water is enough'. Highly active people, those who sweat profusely, or people recovering from illness may benefit most from electrolyte replenishment. For the average person eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, nuts, leafy greens, and protein, and drinking plenty of water, additional electrolytes are likely unnecessary. There are also risks associated with overconsumption. Too much sodium, for example, can lead to high blood pressure in susceptible people. Excessive intake of certain electrolytes can also disrupt the body's delicate balance, leading to issues such as gastrointestinal upset, and impaired kidney function. As with any supplement, moderation is key. Choosing the right hydration product Mark Robinson, a sports dietitian for BSc, emphasises the importance of looking carefully at the ingredients of a hydration product, if you have identified yourself as someone who needs them. 'It's all about the total electrolyte count as well as the type of electrolytes', he says. 'You're looking for a combination of all five key sports minerals: sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride. Sodium is the most important one for rehydration, since this is what is mostly lost in sweat, which can lead to dehydration. A 2:1 sodium-to-potassium ratio is optimal.' Mr Robinson also recommends opting for low-sugar choices. 'The added sports minerals are what make these drinks more beneficial than water, as they replenish salts lost typically in sweat', he explains. 'But you don't want to undo the benefits by consuming excessive sugar.' Aussies lead the trend This advice aligns with market trends, as consumers are increasingly seeking out natural ingredient-based, low-sugar products with added functional ingredients. Aussie entrepreneurs Austin Xenos and Madison Verrocchi, co-founders of LVL UP, identified a gap in the market for a clean-ingredient hydration product that catered to a broader audience, not just elite athletes. 'We decided to launch LVL UP in 2023 after noticing a clear gap in the market for a functional but fun product – something you'd actually look forward to drinking, whether you're at the gym or recovering from a night out', the pair told The rise of health-conscious consumers has dramatically reshaped the hydration market in Australia. 'People now read ingredient labels and are more aware of how hydration impacts energy, focus, and recovery', they added. 'This shift is pushing brands to innovate, offering cleaner formulas, natural flavours, and more transparency. Consumers aren't just buying sports drinks anymore. They're choosing functional hydration solutions for all parts of their lives'. It's true that electrolyte drinks can make you feel more energised and focused – but they don't provide instant energy like caffeine. Rather, they help support your body's energy use more efficiently, especially during exercise. There are still misconceptions about these sorts of products, though. 'One big misconception is that hydration products are only for athletes,' they say. 'In reality, we lose electrolytes every day through excessive sweat, stress, or even just a busy lifestyle. 'Another is that all hydration products are full of sugar or artificial additives, which isn't always the case.' The founders note that LVL UP contains just 3.5 grams of glucose per sachet, which helps with electrolyte absorption. The future of the industry Looking ahead, the co-founders predict that the future of the industry is about 'multifunctional hydration'. 'People want products that do more. Hydration that supports focus, energy, immunity, or recovery', say the duo. 'Clean labels, convenience, and flavour will continue to drive decisions.' The bigger picture So why the sudden focus on electrolytes? Aside from the increased interest in health as a whole, some experts have noted that electrolytes are gaining popularity as they're a small, easy addition to daily life that requires minimal effort. 'People feel like they're doing something good for themselves without it feeling too expensive or complicated, which can be an issue with some supplements,' one dietitian told The Guardian. And others compare the boom to the protein movement seen in 2016. 'Suddenly, people had a much greater awareness of the benefits of getting enough protein in their diet and realised that the benefits go beyond what sportspeople need,' Joe Welstead, founder of electrolyte retailer, Oshun, said. 'It's a similar story with electrolytes: if you can get past going for caffeine first thing in the morning and focus on being properly hydrated instead, you're going to feel so much better.' The takeaway? If you are already eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, and not sweating excessively, you can probably go about your life without worrying too much about extra electrolytes. But if you are sweating a lot – and, let's face it, you probably should be, at least occasionally – they are worth thinking about.
