Hydrate … HOOAH?!!

Today is National Hydration Day, and with summer beginning and many units conducting annual training during the hottest time of the year, we talked with Louisiana National Guard Master Fitness Trainer SSG Kevin Marino and members of the LANG State Surgeon’s Office about how important water is to our health.

What does water do for me?

Water is one of the main players in keeping us healthy. “Nothing replaces water. There is a reason it is the most abundant resource on earth,” said Marino. “It is the element which brings forth life!”

In fact, water can make up anywhere from 50-70% of your total body weight. Some of the purposes of all of this water is to lubricate your joints, maintain body temperature and carry nutrients throughout your body. Because water does all of this and more, you should ensure that you hydrate properly every day.

So how much water should I be drinking every day?

 Daily water intake varies by person, with factors that include height and weight, activity level and even the temperature outside, but Marino said that a good base line for most people is at least eight cups of water per day.

Capt. Joshua Danzy of the SSO said that in a field environment over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which Louisiana experiences nearly every day of summer, the amount of water you should be drinking dramatically increases.

Basically, in heat category five conditions, you should drink at least one quart per hour and take 10 minutes of rest every hour. If you are working harder in those conditions (doing a ruck march or something similar), Danzy said you should increase your water intake to 1.5 quarts per hour and 50 minutes of rest per hour

In closing, take care of yourself. Drink water and beat the heat.

Do you do something cool in the Louisiana National Guard and want to tell people about it? Message the Louisiana National Guard Facebook page or email Sgt. Garrett Dipuma at garrett.l.dipuma.mil@mail.mil.