SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 News) - With temperatures hovering in the upper 90's this week, health experts say it's important to keep cool and keep your body hydrated. In fact, only one in ten of us are drinking enough water throughout the day.
"I'm definitely hot, but it's not too bad, it's not over one hundred most days." Michelle Chaya just moved to Utah three weeks ago. She and her friend Jessica say the weather here is not too bad, as long as you find a way to keep cool.
"The shade is fine, if you are in the sun you definitely need more water, definitely," Jessica Balderas says.
Drinking water, health experts say, is key in this heat, but most of us just aren't doing it.
"I would say given a percent, I would say ten percent of people are properly hydrated at most." Health and fitness expert Tyler Tsujimoto says if you are inside or in the shade your body needs at least two liters of water a day to stay hydrated. If you step out into the sun, or start exercising, you should double or even triple that amount.
And not just any liquids will do. When it comes to hydration, guzzling sodas or energy drinks can actually make you more thirsty. Tsujjimoto says thirst can be a sign that your body is on it's way to dehydration.
"It's like trying to run a car on an empty tank of gas. Water is going to saturate the muscle cells so they will respond better and react quicker," he says.
The rule of thumb? Have another sip. Drink more water than you think you need. Michelle Chaya makes sure her kids get enough by watering down juices and milk. A pretty cool idea on a pretty hot day.
And here's one more hydration tip. Tsujimoto says drink your water more often. If you are exercising or playing outside in this heat he says you should be taking drinks every ten to fifteen minutes.
