Drinks 2026 | Health & Wellness

Leading the Change in Health and Wellness

Meet exceptional providers of local care.

BEAM
While coffee drinks and cocktails take center stage in this issue, your winter skin deserves its own seasonal treat. Cold air, high altitudes, and hours on the slopes can leave even the healthiest complexion feeling dry, tight, and dull. That’s where the Fraxel Dual paired with Sciton BBL comes in for a powerhouse combo that works like a warm drink for your skin, from the inside out.

“Think of Fraxel Dual as a microscopic exfoliator that reaches down into the deeper layers of your skin, encouraging fresh, healthy cells to surface. It helps soften fine lines, fade sun and wind damage, and revive tired texture, all without changing the way you look — just how fresh you feel,” explains Allex Nevis, owner of Beam.

“Then comes Sciton BBL, the ‘brightening booster,’” she adds. “This light-based treatment targets redness, sunspots, and uneven tone, giving skin that clear, après-ski glow we all dream about. Used together, these treatments help repair last season’s damage while giving you a stronger barrier for the dry months ahead.”

For winter sports lovers, this combo is like swapping a watery hot cocoa for a rich, velvety one that’s comforting, restorative, and exactly what you needed. Cheers to glowing all season long. For details, visit Beamlasers.com.

TAHOE FOREST HEALTH SYSTEM
There are so many things in life that can wear us out; don’t let dehydration be one of them. One of the first symptoms of dehydration is fatigue. The average person does not consume enough fluids to stay properly hydrated. Add in a dry climate, elevation, and highly active lifestyle, and you can see why staying hydrated in the Reno-Tahoe area is even more challenging.

How much water should you drink? A good rule to follow is half your body weight in ounces. So if you weigh 180 pounds, aim to drink 90 ounces of water per day. Increase that if you sweat and are highly active, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or spend considerable time in high temperatures. Another way to check your hydration is to monitor the color of your urine. If you are adequately hydrated, it should be pale yellow. If it’s darker, drink up!

Is water enough? Most people can maintain proper hydration by drinking water and other fluids when they feel thirsty. Trouble can happen when we ignore our thirsty sensations or participate in intense exercise.

What about electrolytes? Electrolytes are minerals that help maintain fluid balance and conduct electricity. They support muscles in a variety of reactions in our bodies, including muscle contractions, like the beating of your heart. Electrolytes in your body include sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, chloride, phosphate, and bicarbonate. Ideally, we can meet our electrolyte needs through diet.

The best food sources of electrolytes are most fruits and vegetables, specifically leafy greens, citrus, melons, beans, bananas, celery, and avocado, as well as whole grains.

Tips to Maintain Healthy Hydration and Electrolyte Balance

1. Try spa water. Get bored with plain water? Use fruits, veggies, herbs, and spices to infuse flavors and liven up plain water. Try these ideas to put the spa vibes into your water:
   • Thin slices of lemon or lime
   • Cucumber slices and lemon slices
   • Fresh mint leaves and muddled raspberries
   • Cinnamon sticks
   • Freshly sliced ginger root
2. Eat your water. Many foods contain significant amounts of water. Watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, cabbage, broccoli, and tomatoes are just a few examples of fruits and vegetables that are 90 percent water.
3. Avoid high-sugar options. Sugar can contribute to dehydration. Unless you need to refuel for extended activity, rehydrate with low-sugar options such as electrolyte tablets or powders without sugar, broth, coconut water, or herbal tea.
4. Replace sodium. Sodium needs are easy to meet with food; in fact, most Americans consume way more than the recommended amount of 2,300 mg (1 teaspoon) per day. Unless your sweating leaves you with a salty residue, then you may wish to replace sodium during and immediately after exercise.
5. Carry a reusable container with you daily. Having water at the ready makes it so much easier to sip all day long. Your body can absorb water more efficiently if you sip throughout the day, as opposed to chugging a large amount once or twice. Ideally, a water bottle made of glass or stainless steel is the best option, as some plastics can add unwanted chemicals to the water.

Easy Homemade Electrolyte Drink
Using a jar or water bottle with a lid, combine the following ingredients:

2 cups water or unsweetened coconut water
Freshly squeezed juice from ½ lemon
⅛ to ¼ teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon calcium/magnesium powder
2 teaspoons raw honey (optional)
Seal jar with lid and shake to combine.

For details about Tahoe Forest Health System, visit Tfhd.com.

Article provided by Lisa Fligor MS, RDN, Cardiac Rehab Dietitian, Tahoe Forest Health System. You can reach Fligor at lfligor@tfhd.com.

THE CLUB @ TODD’S BODY SHOP
Join the pickleball craze at The Club for some fun and competitive games on state-of-the-art courts in a climate-controlled environment. The facility offers a welcoming and inclusive space for players of all ages and skill levels.

Are you ready to take your pickleball game to the next level? Look no further than this private pickleball club. The facilities will help to improve your skills and dominate the court.

The folks at The Club @ Todd’s Body Shop give you access to a gym, court reservations, showers/locker rooms, and top-of-the-line pickleball courts, coupled with a supportive community of fellow pickleball enthusiasts. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics or a seasoned player seeking to fine-tune your game, this club has something for everyone.

For details, visit Toddsbodyshoppt.com/pickleball.

SIERRA SMILES COMPLETE HEALTH DENTISTRY/SIERRA SLEEP AIRWAY AND WELLNESS CENTER
When it comes to protecting your smile and supporting whole-body wellness, most people focus on brushing, flossing, and keeping up with routine dental visits. But one of the most influential daily habits is often overlooked: what you drink. Every beverage interacts with your teeth, your oral and gut microbiome, and even your ability to breathe and sleep well at night.

Sierra Smiles Complete Health Dentistry and Sierra Sleep Airway & Wellness Center in the Reno-Tahoe area are encouraging the community to become more mindful of drink choices and the surprising ways they affect overall health and well-being.

“The main concern with the drinks we consume is their acidity, sugar content, and whether they hydrate or dehydrate the body,” explains Dr. John Bocchi, owner of Sierra Sleep Airway and Wellness Center and Sierra Smiles Complete Health Dentistry. “We don’t always realize the impact these factors have on our health, including physiologically, mentally, and biologically.”

Many everyday beverages such as coffee, tea, sparkling water, kombucha, wine, juices, sodas, and even “healthy” choices such as lemon water share one powerful trait: acidity. Acid softens enamel and shifts the mouth’s pH, creating an environment where harmful bacteria thrive. Over time, this can contribute to enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity, staining, increased cavity risk, and gum inflammation.

The mouth harbors a complex microbiome composed of beneficial bacteria that protect teeth, gums, and the airway. Sugary or sweetened drinks disrupt this delicate ecosystem by feeding cavity-causing bacteria.

 “What we eat and what we drink have a significant influence on the microbiome of both the mouth and the gut,” Bocchi notes.

When this balance shifts, inflammation becomes more likely, increasing the risk of decay, gum irritation, airway swelling, snoring, and poor sleep quality. Inflamed oral tissues often lead to mouth breathing, especially at night. This creates a cycle of dryness and irritation that can contribute to restless sleep and, in some chronic cases, enlarged tonsils.

Hydration is essential for breaking this cycle.

“Sometimes we don’t stop to consider whether the beverages we choose are actually hydrating or dehydrating,” Bocchi says.

Saliva production depends on proper hydration, and saliva is crucial for neutralizing acids, protecting enamel, and keeping the airway moist. Drinks high in caffeine, sugar, or alcohol can cause dehydration and increase nighttime mouth dryness, contributing to snoring, mouth breathing, dry mouth upon waking, and fragmented sleep.

Because airway health directly influences sleep quality, the beverages we choose throughout the day, and especially before bed, play a meaningful role in how well we rest.

Simple Ways to Sip Smarter

• Choose water first. Still or unflavored sparkling water is best for both teeth and airway health.
• Use a straw for acidic or sugary drinks. This reduces direct contact with the enamel.
• Rinse after drinking. A quick water rinse helps restore a healthier pH balance.
• Avoid acidic or sweetened drinks before bed. This protects enamel and supports better-quality sleep.
• Limit frequent sipping. Continuous sipping of acidic or sugary drinks keeps the mouth acidic, increasing cavity risk.

The drinks you enjoy each day have a powerful impact on your oral health, sleep, and overall wellness. With small, mindful adjustments, you can better protect your smile, support your airway, and feel your best. Sierra Smiles and Sierra Sleep Airway & Wellness Center remain committed to helping you make informed, health-supportive choices sip by sip.

For details, visit Sierrasleepwell.com and Sierrasmiles.com.