Hydration is a very important topic for all of us. Unfortunately, current recommendations from our medical and academic institutions are harmful and down right dangerous. I’m here to help to use logic. First, pure water has a pH of 7, in fact, it is the gauge of the pH scale where 7 is neutral, neither acidic nor basic. Stomach acid is approximately 2 pH, varies with age and if you’re hungry or not. The pH of ammonia, on the other hand, is 12. Now to us, if one were to drink JUST water, they would bring their blood pH below the optimal blood pH of 7.40. When one does such a thing, they will experience quite a few health issues:

1. People with metabolic acidosis often have nausea, vomiting, and fatigue and may breathe faster and deeper than normal. People with respiratory acidosis often have headache and confusion, and breathing may appear shallow, slow, or both and low enough and one could die. 

How does one maintain proper blood pH? Easy, use Celtic Sea Salt or Himalayan Salt. Both have a significant percentage of the necessary minerals that the human body needs, in the appropriate concentrations. We all came from the sea, but over the millions of years all land animals evolved into freshwater animals, but we still need salts for our body’s to function properly (read enzyme and neural function, plus others). As stated above, approximately 7.40 pH. We use salts/minerals to bring water to that 7.40 pH. But Bart, how do I know if my blood pH is at its optimal? Easy, use your salt taste buds. Here’s a very simple and accurate way to tell, put a 1/4 tsp of Celtic Sea Salt in the palm of your hand, using your tongue lick some up. Why your tongue, that’s where your salt taste buds are located. Then drink some water, then do it again, if this time it tastes like too much salt, you can spit some out or just drink more water. How much water you ask, as much as feels necessary. It turns out, when we have enough salt, we instinctively will drink enough water. Funny how nature has enabled us to take care of ourselves. But it’s true, regardless of what our media and institutions want you to think. 

And, if you like Gatorade, here’s my take on the healthy alternative. Why, I don’t want inappropriate levels of Sodium and Potassium, along with the sugar. Hence, I learned to make my own:

1. 16 oz Reverse Osmosis Water

2. ¼-½ tsp of Celtic Sea Salt or Himalayan Salt

3. 5-8 drops of liquid Stevia

4. 1 oz Organic Lemon juice

Mix it together and drink. If it’s too sour, a drop or two more of Stevia and/or add more water. Not salty enough, um, add more salt. And remember, this formula WILL change as you do. Hot summer’s day, you’ve been doing exercises, running, mowing the lawn, etc. and sweated up a storm, probably going to need more salt. In the winter, probably less, remember, let your taste buds guide you. You’ll figure it out by what tastes the best to you at that moment. This will take a little practice, but I guarantee you’ll never ever die from making your own “Gatorade.” Just use the above ingredients and you will be very good to go. And, you can do this every day, and it’s a good idea, especially first thing in the morning. Pretty much everyone goes to pee before going to sleep, breathes, which expels water vapors from us, and then we pee when we get up. Depending on the time of year, what I’ve eaten, etc. I lose anywhere from 24 to 35 ounces of water, along with salt. I’m dehydrated, and the first thing I need in the morning is to rehydrate. What ever shall I have? Yeah, we all know now, we hydrate with water and salts. I also make tea “Gatorade ''. I use a herbal tea such as Ginger or Gen zing, and the above ingredients, minus the lemon juice. You’ll begin to deviate with your own flavors, just substitute another flavor besides the lemon juice.

Also, and this may be the most important thing, EVERYONE needs about 32 oz of water first thing in the morning, EVERYONE! And this doesn’t mean coffee, in fact, get at least 32 oz of water in before the coffee. Being hydrated will help to wake you up and actually helps with morning aches and pains. Yeah, crazy how dehydration slows down circulation. And coffee is a diuretic, which is exactly opposite of what your body craves first thing in the morning. 

Here’s a video by Barbara O’Neill about the importance of hydration. And some information via the Celtic Sea Salt website. Yeah, it could be a little biased, but still interesting and informative. Besides, there is SO much schlock if you just google “hydration” that anyone who hasn’t studied the subject would be bewildered. I know I was, and I actually know what’s going on. 

https://www.celticseasalt.com/blog/salt--water---barbara-oneill