The Power of Plants: Why Being Well-Hydrated is Vital (And How The Plug Can Help)

Here at The Plug, we spent years researching hundreds of ingredients and testing out several combinations in order to find the perfect blend that was most effective in helping your body recover and promoting a healthier system overall. Our proprietary formula consists of 13 different plants, fruits, and flowers that come together to provide your body with the best support possible – and rapidly hydrating your system is one of our ways of doing so! Because of our specially crafted formula and handpicked ingredients from South Korea, The Plug’s benefits are numerous; however, hydration is an overshadowed one, even though it is definitely essential for our well-being and survival. It clearly deserves its own spotlight, right? Let’s dive into how adequate hydration leads to better mental health, physical function, recovery, and more!

How Hydration is Vital to Your Overall Health 

Hydration is needed to carry out essential bodily functions such as regulating body temperature, lubricating joints, and preventing infections (1). Proper hydration alone is also linked to improved brain performance and digestion (2). Without it, the body struggles to keep up with its multitude of tasks, causing many health problems to arise. This is why it’s often recommended to stay hydrated throughout the day, particularly if you’re losing water through sweating due to being outside in warm weather or exercising; even mild dehydration (around 2% fluid loss) can begin to affect memory, mood, concentration, and reaction time (2).

Adequate hydration improves many aspects of your life, including sleep quality, cognition, and mood (1). Maintaining optimal levels of hydration has been proven to boost energy levels as organs (such as the heart and lungs) can function properly rather than working unnecessarily harder (1). Ideal hydration levels have also been shown to reduce excess body weight as individuals consume less calories when properly hydrated (2). 11 cups of water for the average woman and 16 cups for men are considered the rough estimates of optimal hydration according to experts (1).

Being well-hydrated shouldn’t feel like a difficult task – it can be done fairly straightforward! Consuming enough fluids and water-rich foods (like fruits and vegetables) on a daily basis can maintain proper hydration levels (3). The Plug Drink, with its formula tailored for optimizing hydration, is another sure-fire way to boost one’s hydration levels and feel much more productive and energized throughout the day. 

How Dehydration Relates to Hangxiety

Not drinking enough water is not the only way to become dehydrated; alcohol use is also largely correlated to dehydration and loss of nutrients. Many people after a night of drinking have expressed how they experience the negative symptoms that come with hangxiety, and dehydration plays a big role in the presence of most of these symptoms (i.e. headaches, fatigue, and overall weakness) (4). The good news is that there are plenty of ways to combat hangxiety! One of them being electrolytes. 

How Electrolytes Are the Key to Hydration

Electrolytes are essential minerals such as sodium, calcium, and potassium that your body uses to function (4). Besides reducing hangxiety symptoms and maintaining hydration, electrolytes help regulate muscle contractions and balance the body’s pH levels (4). Sweat, urine, vomiting, and diarrhea are all common ways that the body loses the electrolytes it needs to function (4); the use of alcohol can even cause electrolyte deficiency as it suppresses ADH, aka the hormone that helps your body keep ahold of electrolytes and water (4). Luckily, The Plug Drink offers a simple and delicious solution to replenish electrolytes, leading to the hydration and nutrient boosts you need to function!

How The Plug’s Formula Hydrates You From the Inside Out

The Plug Drink introduced electrolytes in its formula in 2022 because we noticed how effective they are in improving hydration levels and essential bodily functions. However, many popular sports drinks that advertise their use of electrolytes are still not practical, as they contain a combination of excess sugar, food coloring, and/or an insufficient amount of electrolytes. This is where The Plug Drink differs – our beverage does not have any unnecessary additives such as added sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, food coloring, or caffeine that can make other drinks less effective. When it comes to hydration, straightforward and simple ingredients can provide the effective nutrient replenishment that your body needs.

Along with the electrolytes, there are specific ingredients in our unique formula that work their magic to boost hydration; let’s check them out!

Pueraria Lobata Ohwi 

Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi is a rapidly growing plant that has been used traditionally in China, Korea, and Japan for its medical properties for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke (5, 6). It acts as a solution to rapidly hydrate the body (thus removing alcohol from your system), and on top of that, it helps provide a strong antioxidant defense (7). Additionally, Pueraria lobata Ohwi works to detoxify alcohol and protect the liver from harm (7).

Pueraria Lobata

Pueraria lobata (kudzu) is the root of Pueraria lobata Ohwi. Similarly, it helps to rehydrate your body, but it also has many other tricks up its sleeve! It has been traditionally used to relieve body heat, dry mouth, headaches, and stiff neck problems, along with acting as an herbal remedy for patients after experiencing a stroke (6). Pueraria lobata has also been used to treat diabetes, liver intoxication induced by alcohol, and cardiovascular disease (6), with additional benefits including boosted immunity and liver injury protection (5). 

The Bottom Line

There should be no slacking off when it comes to hydration! Even the most mild levels of dehydration can have detrimental effects, so be sure to always stay hydrated with us! The Plug Drink conveniently contains all that your body needs to rehydrate, helping you recover faster and stay productive. With ingredients like Pueraria lobata and Pueraria lobata Ohwi, you are getting the benefits of hydration and more with each sip! So drink up, PlugFAM, as we head into the spring and summer seasons – let’s embark on this journey towards hydration together!

Bibliography

1. The importance of hydration [Internet]. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Updated 2024 Nov 21. Available from: https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/the-importance-of-hydration/#:~:text=Drinking%20enough%20water%20each%20day,quality%2C%20cognition%2C%20and%20mood. 

2. 10 Reasons Why Hydration is Important [Internet]. National Council on Aging. Updated 2024 Jan 2. Available from: https://www.ncoa.org/article/10-reasons-why-hydration-is-important

3. LaMotte S. Benefits of water: Are you getting enough fluids to stay healthy? [Internet]. CNN. Updated 2017 Sept 28. Available from: https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/27/health/benefits-of-water-and-fluids/index.html 

4. Beswick K. What are Electrolytes? [Internet]. Cedars Sinai. 2019 Oct 16. Available from: https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/electrolytes.html  

5. Wang J, Dai G, Shang M, Wang Y, Xia C, Duan B, et al. Extraction, structural-activity relationships, bioactivities, and application prospects of Pueraria lobata polysaccharides as ingredients for functional products: A review. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules [Internet]. 2023 July 15;243. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141813023021049 

6. Liu J, Shi YC, Lee DYW. Applications of Pueraria lobata in treating diabetics and reducing alcohol drinking. Chinese Herbal Medicines [Internet]. 2019 Apr 5;11(2):141-149. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7434045/  

7. Zhao W, Peng D, Li W, Chen S, Liu B, Huang P, et al. Probiotic-fermented Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi alleviates alcoholic liver injury by enhancing antioxidant defense and modulating gut microbiota. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture [Internet]. 2022 Dec;102(15):6877-6888. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35655427/