Summertime!
The time you are most likely to get sunburn, boogie board rash, and dehydration.
We can’t do anything about sunburn other than to remind you to use sunblock, and boogie board rash is kind of fun to get, but we can tell you what to do about dehydration.
First, what it is not: Dehydration is NOT thirst. Thirst is an indication of dehydration, but if you are thirsty, you already are dehydrated.
How to Get It
Dehydration is what happens when you sweat, vomit, pee, or “do Number Two,” causing more fluid to go out than you take in, which makes your body respond with cramps (ouch!), heat exhaustion, urinary and kidney complications (kidney stones are NO fun), seizures, hypovolemic (low blood volume) shock, and life-threatening heatstroke.
Dehydration is caused by working or working out outside in the heat—yeah, duh, but here’s why: When the air around you is hot and humid, your sweat can’t evaporate, which is vital because your sweat is what cools you down. When that happens, your body temperature goes up, driving your body to use more fluids, all the way until depletion.
This is particularly true of older athletes and workers—thirst detection is reduced and fluid reserves are smaller.
How to Stop It
Avoid dehydration by taking in more fluids than you think you will need BEFORE exertion. Ideally, the day before.
It’s also a good idea to take in extra electrolytes ahead of exertion, and to that end, let us introduce you to the Kill Cliff line of Energize x Recover beverages.
Electrolytes are essential minerals your body needs to keep functioning at the high level you demand. Electrolytes regulate muscle contraction, help maintain pH levels (very important), control nervous-system functions, and also are useful for keeping you hydrated in the first place.
Electrolytes are sodium, calcium, and potassium.
Just about every sports drink on the market mentions electrolytes as an ingredient, but what they don’t mention is the added sugar they contain. Sure, you may balance your electrolyte level, but you’re taking in a quantity of refined sugar that most likely will cancel out your reason for working out in the first place. Plus the energy spike and crash.
We Have the Answer
Kill Cliff’s Energize x Recover drinks are sweetened with natural ingredients and have NO sugar, but they do have a plethora of electrolytes as well as B-vitamins. They also boast “clean caffeine”—25mm—derived from ginger root extract and green tea extract.
Did we mention five delicious fruit flavors? Tasty Blood Orange, Berry Legit Lemonade, Lemon Lime Lightning, Five Finger Pom Punch, and Gangsta’s Berry-dise.
Try them all in a value-add 24-variety pack.
And if you want to add a boost to your beverage, here's a recipe for the July 4 weekend, and beyond: The 'Merican Gangsta.
The 'Merican Gangsta
1 part Kill Cliff Gangsta' Berry-dise
1 part white rum of your choice
1 handful of raspberries
1 handful of blueberries
Muddle the berries by mashing them into the bottom of a shaker. Add the fluids and stir like it's your job. Add a few ice cubes and give it a shake. Pour over one of those big-ass ice cubes all the cool bars have these days. Enjoy responsibly.
