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Staying sufficiently hydrated is a hot topic, and most online content about it focuses on practical ways to optimize fluid intake, including eating the right foods and drinking mostly water. For the young and old especially, being chronically dehydrated is a serious business with potentially life-threatening outcomes. But what is hydration, exactly—and what actually happens when you hydrate? To understand this topic let’s review some basic biology, because hydration happens at the cellular level.
At The Cellular Level
Cells are the basic components that make up our biology; we evolved from single-cell organisms to highly complex, multicellular beings. Specialized cells in our organs have specific jobs that help our bodies function as a whole. Cells communicate and work together to perform important bodily processes that are necessary for survival.
To communicate properly, cells need the right fluid levels. There is an electrical component to how cells communicate, which respond to electrolytes. Electrolytes then, can be a better choice to hydrate at the cellular level. The five key electrolytes are: sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and magnesium. Without proper mineral salt ratios, water intake may not efficiently hydrate your body due to the lack of electrical imputes imparted by the five salts. Hydration Multiplier uses a precise blend of sodium, potassium, and glucose that can hydrate you 2-3x faster and more efficiently than water alone.
Hormones, The Brain, and Plasma
The hypothalamus signals to our bodies that we are thirsty. Once we respond by drinking water, this maintains our blood volume. If your body detects plasma osmolarity—a sign of low blood volume—a signal is sent to indicate thirst to help generate red blood cells. That signal prompts the brain, endocrine system, and body to drink water or eat something. The fluid intake increases the blood volume, and circulatory system ensures that fluid is delivered to every cell.
Since 60% of the human body is made up of water, staying hydrated keeps all organs and tissues functioning optimally. This is why the thirst sensation is so important: we need a constant intake of water to keep our bodies lubricated, hydrated, and keep blood volume at the right levels.
Hydration in Other Animals
All animals, including insects, have to stay hydrated. Some extraordinary creatures are so well adapted to their dry environments that they can store water for long periods of time. Camels, for example, have a specialized adaptation to store water while subsisting very little.
Hydration happens when fluid enters the body’s tissues. All animals maintain a balance of hydration through skin, circulation, and a fluid-filled structure that surrounds the digestive area called the coelom. Without circulation, hydration could not reach all areas of the body.
If all of the above sounds super science-y and difficult to understand, don’t worry! The takeaway is this: proper hydration is a vital part of staying alive and well. Hydration Multiplier can help keep you and your insides hydrated daily.