We all have plenty of reminders to hydrate “often and early” up on the roof in June, but how many of us really “think to drink” in the winter? According to some medical authorities, our bodies are almost 75 percent water, with about the same salinity as the North Atlantic. A healthy body can lose as much as 3 to 6 liters (up to 12 pounds) of water per day, summer or winter, depending on work tasks and environmental conditions. Amazingly, just the water vapor that we normally exhale can fill more than a one liter soda bottle every day.
Our brains may send us clear signals that we’re thirsty in June, but in February we might be less inclined to toss back a bottle of water as often as we should. Therefore, we need to be aware of a few telltale signs that can indicate the onset of dehydration.