Hi there, You're out for a jog on a chilly morning, wearing layers, and working up a sweat. You should feel thirsty. But you don't. Researchers believe this comes down to a process called peripheral vasoconstriction: The blood vessels near your skin narrow in the cold, shifting blood toward your core. Sensors near your heart pick up all that extra blood and conclude you're well-hydrated — even if you're not. So your body dials down your thirst signals. The cold also sends you to the bathroom more often. Some researchers suspect that the cold raises your blood pressure, and your kidneys respond by flushing out extra fluid and electrolytes. So you're losing more fluid right when your thirst gets less noticeable. You can see this effect in the data. In one trial, participants exercising in the cold replaced only 33% of the fluid they lost. When they did the same workout in warm conditions, they replaced 51%. What does that mean? In colder temps, you might feel less thirsty but could still be struggling to address your hydration needs. How high altitude can affect your hydration needs Why more water isn't always the fix once you're up the mountain The sodium target for winter activity
Your thirst is an early-warning system, and in the cold, it’s less effective. Drink on a schedule to stay hydrated this winter. Stay Salty,
Robb and the LMNT Team |
