Guzzling a ton of water all at once probably isn’t the best strategy to stay hydrated. The American Physiological Society says your body will see this as overhydrating and you’ll find yourself running to the bathroom. Instead, it’s best to sip a little bit of water at a time throughout the day and drink while you’re eating meals.
You don’t have to stick to water. Adding natural lemon or a powder with citric acid makes plain water more palatable, and the citric acid can block the formation of certain types of kidney stones. On hot, humid days, it’s easy to get dehydrated from excess sweating. A sports drink might taste great and provide electrolytes, but many sports drinks can be overloaded with sodium, which is a no-no when it comes to preventing kidney stones.
Remember that you can also hydrate through fruits and vegetables. Eating a cup of watermelon is similar to drinking a cup of water because it’s 91% water, and watermelon contains calcium, magnesium, and potassium for electrolytes. Another helpful fruit that’s more hydrating than watermelon is often believed to be a vegetable — the tomato. A cup of grape tomatoes is almost 93% water.