Community Partner Newsletter Volume 6 Summer

On our Sugar Rush table, we keep three premade baggies of sugar that show the limit for younger kids (6 tsp), teens/adults (12 tsp), and the amount an average person in America consumes daily (17 tsp). We’ve gotten amazing feedback from people after they started watching their sugar intake and making positive changes in their lifestyle. They lost weight, felt better, and improved their blood sugar control.

To book a virtual or in-person Sugar Rush presentation, or request a table exhibit at a community event, please contact Kellie Gilbert at 203.393.3932 or kgilbert@chnct.org

References: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2021. Get the Facts: Added Sugars. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/data-statistics/added-sugars.html 2. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2015-2020, Eighth Edition. Cut Down on Added Sugars. Retrieved from: https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-10/DGA_Cut-Down-On-Added-Sugars.pdf 3. State of Alaska, Department of Health, 2019. Play Every Day, How to Find the Added Sugars. Retrieved from: https://health.alaska.gov/dph/playeveryday/pages/How-to-Find-the-Added-Sugars.aspx Let’s Talk About Hydration

With summer here and outdoor activities increasing, remember to drink plenty of water! Hydration has so many vital impacts on the human body. For example, studies show increased hydration is linked to increased energy production. Through a process called lipolysis, fat molecules, such as triglycerides, are broken down into smaller molecules in the presence of water. These broken-down fat molecules are then transported to our muscles, as well as other organs in our body, to be used for energy. 1 Increased hydration is also important because some vitamins, such as Vitamin C and the B-complexes, can only be used by the body when dissolved in water (water-soluble). 2 Water-soluble vitamins are responsible for healthy functions of our immune system, red blood cell formation, tissues, and proper function of the nerves and heart, to name a few. 3 Be sure to drink plenty of fluids! How can you tell if you’re drinking enough fluids? The amount of fluids someone needs to drink each day to stay hydrated varies from person to person. Some factors that affect your fluid needs include the climate where you live, the medications you take, and your level of physical activity. Look for these signs below for indications that you may need to up your intake!

Signs in Infants & Children: • Less interested in playing • Urinating less often (less than six wet diapers for infants) • Dry mouth or lips • Fewer tears when crying • Wrinkled skin or sunken eyes Signs of Severe Dehydration. Seek medical help quickly if you are experiencing these symptoms: • Confusion • Fainting

Signs in Adults: •Feeling thirsty •Urinating or sweating less than usual •Dark-colored urine (should be very light yellow) •Dry skin •Feeling tired • Dizziness

• Rapid heartbeat • Rapid breathing • Lack of urination

HUSKY Health Community Partner Newsletter Page 3 Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc. ® (CHNCT) is the State of Connecticut’s Medical Administrative Services Organization for the HUSKY Health program.

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