Don't Drink the Water! Safe Travel Hydration Tips

Safe Travel Hydration Tips – When you’re out on your adventure, drinking water is at a premium; follow these tips to stay hydrated.

Most of us have the privilege of not having to think about the safety of the water we drink; we turn the tap on, fill a glass, and drink.

Sadly, over two billion people live in water-stressed countries, meaning that two billion people use a water source that’s likely contaminated. According to the World health organization, 1 in 3 people cannot access safe drinking water.

Don’t Drink the Water! Safe Travel Hydration Tips.

Don’t Drink the Water! Safe Travel Hydration Tips

Travel can be a thrilling experience, but staying hydrated is essential to avoid potential health hazards. When exploring new places, getting distracted and forgetting to drink enough water is easy. So, here are some tips to keep yourself hydrated while on the go:

Why is Drinking Water So Important?

You have probably heard the standard recommendation that we all drink at least eight glasses of water daily, which is best adhered to for optimal health. Water is essential to your body because:

It makes up over 60% of your total body weight
Water makes up 75% of your brain; think about that!
Water helps regulate your body temperature
Water carries nutrients and oxygen to your cells and blood
Water cushions your joints as you move
Water flushes toxins out of organs and enables you to eliminate waste

Therefore, it’s no understatement to say that water is life, and staying hydrated, especially during your busy travels, is vital.

The Joy of Travel

As a society, we love to travel, even more so after the global pandemic locked us indoors. With cheap flights and options ranging from short city breaks and luxury staycations to round-the-world trips, it has never been easier and more affordable to pack a bag and go; for a day, a weekend, a week, a month, or longer.

Perhaps part of the adventure is the journey itself; we have refined the art of travel over the years, be it in luxury, like a Dahabiya cruise down the Nile or a cruise ship in the Caribbean. Some adventurists backpack or hitch a ride on a cargo ship to journey to far-off destinations, meeting a different group of travellers. However, Most of us prefer to enjoy commercial international flights.

It matters very little whether you are zooming across Japan on the bullet train, taking in all the scenery as you campervan across Europe, or soar in a hot air balloon over the Serengeti taking in the wildlife; staying hydrated is essential, keeping your water bottle with you at all times to refill is critical, but most of all, finding ways to hydrate while ensuring that the water you are drinking is safe is vital.

Tips to Help You Maintain Safe Hydration While Travelling

Hydration is essential, especially when you’re travelling. Whether you’re on a road trip, flying overseas, or hiking in the mountains, keeping your body hydrated is essential.

Bottled Water

In areas where tap water is unsafe for consumption, or at least you can’t be sure, relying on commercially-sealed bottled water is always safer. Look for reputable brands, ensure the seal is intact before purchasing, and avoid drinking water from unknown or untrustworthy sources.

Many reputable and trustworthy water brands are conscious of sustainability and environmentally friendly practices, providing boxed water, canned water, bottled water made from biodegradable materials, and even bagged water.

Water Purification

If your travels take you to regions where clean water may be a concern, having portable water purification systems may be a lifesaver.

Portable purification systems come in different shapes and sizes, using very different filtration technology for removing a specific set of contaminants at particular levels, with varying pore sizes (the size of the holes in the water purifier). Therefore, you must do a little research to find the right system for your destination. You may need a simple bottle that self-purifies with interchangeable parts or a high-pressure hand pump system.
Water filters; interchangeable filters for bottles of attachments for drinking water systems
Purifying, dissolvable, flavoured, or powders that kill off nasty bacteria or germs to clean the water.
Ultraviolet (UV) light sterilizers; eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants

Whatever you choose, do your homework and find the right system.

Boiled Water

Perhaps a little simplistic, but a timely and trusted process is boiling water, which effectively kills most pathogens; sometimes, giving the water a second or third boil also helps. If you have a way of capturing and condensing the steam and drinking the collected water, it’s also considered safer. Always ensure you are careful with hot water and wait till it’s cooled before consuming.

Locally Sourced Fruit and Juices

Coconut water is a fantastic option for staying hydrated and safe if you travel to tropical destinations where coconuts grow readily; it’s a natural electrolyte-rich drink full of minerals. Readily available fruit can be a good substitute, especially if you can’t trust the local water. Many cafes, restaurants, and hotels will provide bottled water; however, be sure that the bottle is sealed and new to avoid drinking tap water posing as bottled water.

Avoid Ice and Untreated Tap Water

In some regions, ice cubes may be made from tap water, which can be unsafe. It’s best to avoid ice in drinks or, at the least, inquire about the source of the ice before consuming it. Additionally, be cautious with consuming untreated tap water, including using it to brush your teeth or raising fruits and vegetables.

If in Doubt, Stick to Sealed – Safe Travel Hydration Tips

If you’re unsure about local water, opt for sealed beverages, such as canned drinks, packaged juices, or bottled beverages. These are usually safer choices as they have undergone processing and quality control.

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