Why Hydration Is Important for Your Body in the Summer

Dr. Bobban Subhadra, President of Biom Pharmaceutical talks with us at Gurus about the scientific benefits of drinking water in the summer, and needless to say, it goes way more than skin deep.

When it’s summer, people look forward to spending more time outdoors. Whether going to the
beach, an amusement park, or a hike through the mountains, who doesn’t love outdoor activities in the summertime?

However, summer is not all sunshine and rainbows. While spending time and having fun in the
sun is all well and good, it’s nevertheless crucial to keep yourself protected from the heat.
According to research from the US CDC, approximately 1,220 people die in the United States
each year due to extreme heat — but the worst part about this statistic is that these deaths are
almost always entirely preventable. By learning the signs of dehydration and how to keep from
getting dehydrated, you can prevent yourself and your loved ones from becoming part of this
statistic.

Understanding dehydration and its effects:

Dehydration most commonly happens when our bodies are exposed to extreme heat for long
periods of time without drinking an adequate amount of water. Although the body generally
naturally cools itself by sweating, in some cases of extreme heat, that mechanism simply isn’t
enough.

When you become dehydrated, the most apparent symptoms you will experience include severe thirst and fatigue. Additionally, you may experience signs of dizziness and confusion, as well as less frequent urination and darker-colored urine.

Addressing dehydration as soon as possible is crucial because the health effects can be severe and long-lasting. Heat injuries can range from anything from minor cramps to heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which, according to the Mayo Clinic, “can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles.”

These can eventually manifest as urinary and kidney problems, seizures, or potentially even more severe health crises. You may also be surprised to learn the critical role hydration plays in your digestive process. Water helps break down carbohydrates in food, helps food move smoothly through the digestive tract, and combines with stomach acid to aid the digestive process.

When you become dehydrated, your body often “prioritizes” available water for essential
functions like maintaining blood pressure and supporting vital organs. As a result, the digestive
system could be left behind.

How to keep yourself from becoming dehydrated:

Unfortunately, water alone is sometimes not enough to rehydrate you if your dehydration has
become severe. That’s why it is essential to be proactive and practice proper hydration to
prevent yourself from ever becoming dehydrated in the first place.

The most obvious way to stay on top of your hydration is to ensure you drink plenty of water. On average, men need around 15.5 cups of fluids per day, and women need about 11.5 cups,
though the body’s need for hydration obviously depends on several factors, including
temperature and activity.

For example, if someone is working outside in the heat, the CDC recommends drinking at least
one cup of water every 15-20 minutes. While that might sound like a lot of water, it will do
wonders to keep your body feeling hydrated!

However, sometimes drinking water alone is not enough to keep you hydrated and feeling your
best. In these cases, taking a specialized electrolyte formula might be necessary to recharge
your body at the cellular level.

Better yet, if you take a hydration supplement that combines the power of electrolytes with a
probiotic/prebiotic/postbiotic mix, you can get the added benefit of strengthening your gut flora.
This combination also has the unique power to slowly release water into the body for an
extended period after consumption, helping you stay hydrated for longer.

With these tips on how to identify dehydration and stay hydrated, you don’t have to let the heat
ruin your summer fun. Just drink plenty of water and consider adding a specialized
electrolyte/probiotic/prebiotic/postbiotic mix to your hydration routine to ensure your body is
ready to handle even the most extreme summer heat.

Dr. Bobban Subhadra leads Biom Pharmaceutical as President. He brings expertise in
growing and scaling businesses, operations, marketing, innovation, and broad brand portfolios.
He worked with several early-stage biotech companies to develop and commercialize
biomedical products and services.

As a researcher, he studied the role of neuroserpin, tissue plasminogen activator, and thyroid hormone in synaptic plasticity, developed Alzheimer’s disease mouse models, and has published extensively in prestigious journals, including Natureand Science.

He has developed and commercialized numerous patented technologies and
products for biochemical, biofuel, and pharmaceutical companies. He earned his Master’s degree from the University of Arkansas and his Doctoral degree in Microbiology and
Immunology from the School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, USA.