July 8, 2009
Dr. Travis Stork from The Doctors TV Show Shares Healthy Hydration Tips to Beat the Summer Heat
PETALUMA, Calif. (July 8, 2009) – Dr. Travis Stork, host of the Emmy-nominated The Doctors TV show, says one of the most common summer ailments is also the easiest to prevent. Dr. Stork, an emergency room physician at the Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, is sharing simple hydration tips that can have a big impact on hot-weather health and fitness.
1. Get More Fluids From Healthy Foods: Summer seasonal fruits and vegetables make great snacks and meals, plus they’re high in water which can help you stay better hydrated throughout the day. Add sun-sweetened melons, crispy lettuce and juicy citrus fruits to your summer diet. And spruce your water with slices of lemon, orange, lime or cucumber – it’s a great way to enhance the taste and avoid the artificial flavors, colors and sugars in many pre-packaged beverages.
2. Refresh Yourself using a Reusable Water Bottle: Keep a BPA-free, reusable water bottle at your side at all times. Some are better than others at keeping people hydrated. A water bottle study conducted at Pepperdine University and released today found that people drank up to 24 percent more water with the CamelBak® Better Bottle™ than with other water bottles. The CamelBak bottle costs less than disposables over time, keeps plastic bottles out of landfills and helps you easily monitor how much water you’re drinking.
3. Drink Before You’re Thirsty: Always drink water before you do a summer activity, whether it’s a walking tour on vacation or a more strenuous fitness workout. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty – by that time, you may already be dehydrated, which can lead to heat stroke.
“As an ER doctor, I see more cases of dehydration in the summer than any other time of year. Most of these cases could easily be prevented,” said Dr. Stork. “The heat and increased activity levels can literally drain the body of the water it needs to function properly. Keep your water close at hand and make it part of your daily routine.”
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According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of dehydration include dry, sticky mouth; dark yellow urine; not producing tears; sunken eyes; and feeling lethargic. The benefits of hydration include body temperature regulation, fat metabolism, cardiovascular support and improved focus, concentration and alertness. Even mild dehydration can affect physical and mental performance.
Water Bottle Study at Pepperdine University – Released Today
Dr. Holden MacRae, professor of sports medicine at Pepperdine University, conducted the first-of-its-kind study to test the effects of water bottle design on personal consumption. The study found that with the CamelBak Better Bottle participants drank 24 percent more water than with a disposable plastic bottle, 18 percent more water than with a reusable metal bottle and 15 percent more than with a reusable plastic bottle.
The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Pepperdine University. Dr. MacRae earned his Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Cape Town in South Africa. He is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and is on the editorial review board of the Journal of Sports Science and Coaching. Dr. MacRae expects to publish his report on the study within the next 12 months.
About the CamelBak Better Bottle
CamelBak Better Bottles are made from BPA-free Tritan plastic and Stainless Steel, featuring single-walled and insulated options. All CamelBak Better Bottles feature the exclusive Big Bite™ Valve, which offers non-tip sipping and won’t spill, even when open.
