The effects of heat on water in the body

You hear it often and even more as the summer months gear up: the importance of drinking water. When you get down to the science of it, you realize just how important staying hydrated is to the body.

The adult human body is comprised of up to 60 percent of water. Every ounce lost can be detrimental to the body, especially in the hot summer months.

On any given day, the human body loses can lose nearly a gallon of water, about 10-15 cups, depending on the body type, type of environment and body functions. That water has to be replaced through daily water intake, whether that be through food or beverage.

But what happens as we transition into summer, and why is it important to consistently stay hydrated?

Added heat to the body, specifically during the summer, when humidity is higher, can cause us to lose an additional 7 cups of water. If you’re an athlete training intensely you can actually lose up to 7 cups of water per hour.

It’s for this reason you typically see many heat-related illnesses fall on many athletes during the summer months, they don’t realize just how much water they are losing.

Water is vital for all parts of our life, right down to the very basic functions. It’s for this reason it’s important to go ahead and get into a daily habit of having water with you at all times because not only will it hydrate you and keep you safe in the summer sun, but it will also help curb your appetite.

Stay with ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather as we continue to monitor the summer heat that will be heading our way over the next week.