Category: Summer safety

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends consuming 1 cup (8 ounces) of water every 15–20 minutes when working or exercising in extreme heat to stay properly hydrated. Knowing the right amount of water you should drink during a heatwave is crucial for preventing heat-related illnesses and maintaining your overall health.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the body loses water daily through normal functions like sweating and breathing, and this loss is greatly accelerated by heat and sun exposure. When you visit the beach, a unique combination of environmental factors conspires to increase your risk of dehydration, often without you even realizing it.

Up to 60% of the human adult body is water, and in hot weather, fluid needs increase significantly due to increased sweat. A 90-degree day demands careful attention to hydration, but the exact amount of water you need depends on more than just the temperature.

Dehydration can occur with as little as a 1% loss of body mass, leading to impaired cognitive function and reduced physical performance. In scorching temperatures, it is critical to know what not to drink in the heat to stay safely hydrated and prevent heat-related illnesses.

During extreme heat, your body loses fluids and essential electrolytes through sweat to regulate its temperature. Knowing what to eat and drink in extreme heat is crucial for preventing dehydration, heat exhaustion, and more serious heat-related illnesses.

According to the World Health Organization, there is no level of safe alcohol consumption for our health, a fact especially critical during hot weather. So, should you drink alcohol in extreme heat? Health experts strongly advise against it, as the combination of alcohol and high temperatures poses severe health risks.

According to the CDC, heat-related illnesses and deaths are a significant public health concern, with dehydration being a major contributing factor. So, is it easier to get dehydrated in the summer? The answer is a clear yes, primarily due to increased sweating and environmental heat.

According to the CDC, avoiding caffeine during extreme heat is advised to prevent fluid loss. This is a crucial point for anyone asking, 'are energy drinks bad in the heat?' because these popular beverages are often packed with stimulants that can negatively affect your body's ability to cool itself down.

According to the CDC, heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heatstroke cause thousands of hospital visits annually. A common misconception, however, is confusing heat exhaustion with simple dehydration. While the two conditions are closely linked, they are not the same, and understanding the distinction is vital for proper treatment and prevention.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heat exhaustion can be caused by the body's loss of water and salt through excessive sweating. This confirms that a lack of salt can indeed contribute to heat exhaustion, particularly in hot and humid conditions.