Sports Dietitian Lindsay Orbeta cited in San Francisco Chronical’s article, ‘Can this ‘extreme’ rule about when to hydrate help you get better sleep?’
UCSF Women’s Sports Medicine dietitian Lindsay Orbeta was recently featured in the San Francisco Chronicle article, “Can this ‘extreme’ rule about when to hydrate help you get better sleep?” The piece examines a hydration guideline proposed by a former Boston Celtics sports nutritionist, who suggests consuming 80% of daily fluids by 4 p.m. to enhance sleep quality. However, Orbeta and other experts caution that such a rigid approach may not be suitable for the general population.
Orbeta emphasizes that while reducing fluid intake shortly before bedtime can help minimize nighttime awakenings to urinate, especially for individuals over 40 or those experiencing urinary incontinence, there is no universal guideline dictating when to stop drinking water. She notes, “It seems intuitive, not mandated. There’s no guidelines out there that’s one-size-fits-all.” This perspective underscores the importance of personalized hydration strategies based on individual needs and lifestyles.
The article also highlights the risks associated with overhydration, particularly when large volumes of water are consumed rapidly after intense physical activity. Such practices can lead to hyponatremia, a condition characterized by dangerously low sodium levels in the blood. To mitigate this risk, experts recommend a steady intake of fluids throughout the day, tailored to factors like activity level, age, and medical conditions.
For a comprehensive understanding of hydration practices and their impact on sleep, readers are encouraged to consult the full article in the San Francisco Chronicle.
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