AP Doctors and dieticians agree that to beat the heat, it is best to stick to water and stay away from sodas. Water is the best protection against heat exhaustion, dehydration and deadly heat stroke, experts say. Many people replace less than 50 per cent of the fluid they lose in sweat. And even without strenuous activity, most don't even come close to drinking enough water. If you feel thirsty, that means you have already been dehydrated for at least an hour, an expert advises.
Serious dehydration is something to avoid, it is dangerous and in some cases can mean death.
Sports drinks are OK, dietitians and doctors say, because they replace lost electrolytes needed to keep cell metabolism stable. In hot weather, people should really be drinking about one large glass of water every 20 minutes if they are outside. So are fruit juices and milk. But such drinks are harder on the body than water, because the sugar they contain must be processed. Serious dehydration can cause dizziness, disorientation, headaches, sweating and lethargy.