Fishermen Wellness: Stay Hydrated

10 Things to Know about Staying Hydrated

Photo by Scott Gable Photography

1. Water is best, but other drinks and even foods can help you stay hydrated, too. Teas, juices, and fruit (like watermelon!) can contribute to your water intake.

2. Be careful of caffeine! While some caffeine is OK, too much can lead to feeling anxious and frequent urination. If you need caffeine, coffee is usually going to be your best option.

3. Energy drinks are not the same as sports drinks. Energy drinks contain caffeine and other ingredients that can potentially overstimulate you. Many energy drinks contain 100–300 mg of caffeine per can, which is significantly more than a cup of coffee or a soda. Some also include other stimulants like guarana or taurine, which can amplify the effects, and they're not always clearly labeled.

4. On the otherhand, sport drinks are a good idea. Drinks like Gatorade are made for athletes and can help fishermen (industrial athletes) stay hydrated because they contain electrolytes and carbohydrates. There are also some great products you can add to your water that provide flavor and extra hydration support. (i.e. LMNT, Mio, or Propel.) Just be careful with added sugar because it can contribute to unnecessary calories.

5. Drinking water and staying hydrated can help regulate your body temperature which is important on days that are wicked hot.

6. Staying hydrated helps lubricate your joints and prevents excessive achiness at the end of the fishing day.

7. You're less likely to get grumpy and moody when you're well hydrated.

8. When you're dehydrated it can affect your brain function including memory and reaction time. Don't want to forget which string you just hauled? Drink water!

9. Drinking water can help prevent headaches.

10. More energy! Dehydration can slow down circulation and affect the flow of oxygen to your brain. When your body has to work harder to function, it can slow you down. Stay hydrated to help maintain energy.

    
    

Check out Fishing Forward's fourth episode all about hydration.

If you really want to dig into hydration, check out the Gatorade Sports Science Institute website for lots of research, articles, and podcasts.