Too often is it that I meet people who say they simply, “don’t like the taste of water” and I’m baffled. Do you not feel dehydrated? How does your skin not flake off? Especially in times like this where it’s 80 and 90

 degrees outside. I shiver when thinking about not getting in my recommended daily intake of 2.7 liters.

First and foremost, water is of the utmost importance when it comes to athletics. Even mild dehydration -losing two percent of body water content- can cause negative performance.

Considering that it isn’t uncommon for athletes to lose six to 10 percent of their body weight in sweat loss, it’s no wonder that hydration is stressed for athletes. According to healthline.com, dehydration leads to, “altered body temperature control, reduced motivation, increased fatigue” and can make exercise, “feel much more difficult, both physically and mentally.”

Junior and track and field athlete, Seth Quinn, said he drinks about “4 liters [a day]” and that if he does not, he feels dehydrated.

And yes, dehydration can also lead to poor academic activity as well. HHS Public Access states that “Mild dehydration produces alterations in a number of important aspects of cognitive function such as concentration, alertness, and short-term memory in children, young adults, and [the elderly].”

Meaning yes, if you don’t end up doing as well as you hoped to on the PSAT, consider getting in some more H2O before the real thing.

“I just get a really nasty headache [when I don’t drink water] and I feel really lethargic… It’s awful,” said junior Sam Coats.

So remember everyone, bottoms up!