With summer approaching, the likelihood of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration increases. Forgetting the suitable precautions can result in severe complications if not looked out for. This blog helps you stay on top of your summer with all the tips you need to prevent heat exhaustion. Make sure summer is time for fun and games, not for dehydration!

Difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Before discussing ways to prevent heat exhaustion, it’s vital you understand the difference between this condition and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion is linked not just to the temperature, but to your hydration levels. Heat stroke, meanwhile, is connected to your body’s ability to control its heat.

Heat exhaustion is caused when your body loses too much water and salt. Heat exhaustion is caused by exposure to high temperatures, especially when doing physical activity or not getting enough to drink. In these conditions, your body will sweat out its water and salt content, leaving you deprived. The effects of heat exhaustion are caused by withdrawal from these essential substances. 

Heat stroke is generally considered a much more severe condition. It’s caused by similar conditions to heat exhaustion. However, heat stroke is a more extreme example, where your body temperature rises to over 104F (40C). Under these circumstances, the body can no longer properly regulate its heat. This poses a serious medical risk and can require hospitalization. 

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

Just because heat exhaustion is less severe than heat stroke doesn’t mean you shouldn’t worry about it. Heat exhaustion can be dangerous if left unchecked. Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include any or all of the following:

  • Dizziness
  • Excessive sweating
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Lightheadedness upon standing
  • Muscle cramping
  • Nausea
  • Weak, fast pulse

Tips for preventing heat exhaustion

Want to know the best way to beat heat exhaustion? Avoid the heat! If you stay inside, or in the shade, you’ll be safe. Of course, sometimes this isn’t an option. Water will be your best friend here. Get plenty of hydration, whether through plain water or green drinks. Hydration is one of the major benefits of juicing, after all. 

If you do start to feel the effects of heat exhaustion, that means it’s time to take a break from what you’re doing. Grab some green drink, find some shade, and let yourself cool down. 

Prevent heat exhaustion with these foods

Hydrating with a green drink during a heat wave makes sense. But did you know there are foods that have heat-beating properties as well? Eating these foods is a great way to prevent heat exhaustion symptoms. Of course, make sure you’re getting plenty of water and green juice at the same time!

Banana

One of the main symptoms of heat exhaustion is cramping. If you eat foods high in potassium, you can alleviate this cramping. Potassium also helps regulate fluid inside our cells, helping out the sodium in our body. So, any foods high in potassium are going to be great to eat during a hot day.

Few foods are as famous for their potassium content as bananas. Not only are they great for you, but bananas can easily be turned into a variety of frozen treats for those hotter months. 

Chocolate milk

Really? Chocolate milk? This beverage has been a secret favorite among many athletes. But what made it jump from school lunch boxes to the sports field? 

The secret is that it includes electrolytes, substances your body needs to provide energy in your cells and muscles. Electrolytes as a category include substances such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and, yes, potassium. Chocolate milk manages to have all of this.

While you shouldn’t be drinking chocolate milk constantly during the day, a little bit after some heavy exercise can help balance your electrolyte levels. 

Coconut water

Not a big chocolate milk fan? Then you might want to check out coconut water as a summer beverage. Like chocolate milk, coconut water is packed with electrolytes. It also has a bunch of natural sugars and easily digestible carbohydrates that help refresh you. It goes great on its own, or as part of a smoothie

Kiwi 

Not a big fan of bananas? There’s another potassium champ waiting out there you may not have thought of. Kiwi fruits are a delightful green fruit, are full of water, and, yes, are excellent sources of potassium. They’re also amazingly tasty and go well with tons of summer dishes. 

Pears

If you’re looking for another fruit that’s full of water then you can’t go wrong with pears. What’s especially great about pears is that not only do they have a lot of water in them, but they contain a good amount of fiber. This means they’re great for your digestive system as well as being a way to prevent heat exhaustion. 

Watermelon 

It has “water" right in its name, so what’s not to love? There’s more than just being over 90% water going for watermelons, however. Not only are they high in electrolytes, but they also contain antioxidants which are good for keeping down inflammation and cramping. Best of all, watermelon is flexible. Eat it as is, mix it into your salsa, or toss it on the grill! 

Refresh with Chef V’s organic juice cleanse

Looking for a way to stay hydrated and lose weight this summer without sweating yourself to heat exhaustion? Why not look into one of our great organic juice cleanses? The benefits of juicing let you shed pounds without relying on heavy and potentially dangerous hot-weather exercise. So grab your green drink, enjoy some light workouts, and most of all, stay hydrated!

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