Today, let’s talk about how much water we should drink every day. You may have heard different opinions from various sources about how much water to drink. The World Health Organization gives a guideline that an adult should have 2 to 2.5 liter water every day. Now remember, your water intake includes not just plain water, but also the fluids you get from eating sources. So exactly how much water we should drink, there are some factors to consider here.
First of all, understand that there are different requirements of water with every person. The general guideline I would recommend would be 7 to 8 glasses of water every day, which is approximately 2 liters. Before deciding how much water to drink in a day, we must remember that individual needs, their activities, varies based on factors such as age, weight, gender, and other health issues. For example, a pregnant lady or a breastfeeding woman may have different needs from athletes, and those with certain health conditions may require more fluids to support their physical demand.
How much water do you need?
Every day you lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water.
So how much fluid does the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate need? The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is:
- About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men
- About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women
These recommendations cover fluids from water, other beverages and food. About 20% of daily fluid intake usually comes from food and the rest from drinks.
Read Say Goodbye to Grey Hair: Effective Remedies & Causes Unveiled on, https://beinghealthyyy.com/say-goodbye-to-grey-hair/
What are the health benefits of water?
Water is your body’s principal chemical component and makes up about 50% to 70% of your body weight. Your body depends on water to survive.
Every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs water to work properly. For example, water:
- Gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration and bowel movements
- Keeps your temperature normal
- Lubricates and cushions joints
- Protects sensitive tissues
The best is to listen to your body. Our bodies are like a sophisticated machine which can give you a signal for a need of water, usually through the sensation of thirst. Listening to your body’s signal is important for maintaining proper hydration level. Sometimes, to quench your thirst, you may reach out for high water content fruits, such as watermelon. Such fresh fruits not only provide hydration, but also essential vitamins and minerals.
A clear sign of your body’s water requirement can be found in the color of your urine. If your urine is dark or deep yellow, you need to drink much more water. On the other hand, if you have clear urine and feel the need to urinate frequently, you need to cut down on your water intake. Other factors besides these signals, you should also look out for other factors that can help you in deciding if you are drinking enough water. Let’s see such three factors here.
Physical Activity
Any physical activity increases your body’s water requirement. Exercise causes sweating and leads to fluid loss. So you must drink water to prevent dehydration.
Climate
Hot weather also increases the need of water. On the other hand, those staying in a cooler climate may not require as much water. But they should also be careful and drink water sufficiently to remain well hydrated.
Health Conditions
Certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease or diabetes, can influence how the body manages water. Such patients should follow medical advice and drink water accordingly.
Also read, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-water-should-you-drink-per-day
So today you have seen how much water you should drink in a day according to your personal needs. But what happens when someone drinks too much water? Excessive water intake, such as consuming 4 liters or more a day, can be risky. This can lead to hyponectremia, a condition where your body’s electrolyte balance, especially sodium level, gets disrupted. Some of its symptoms are nausea, headache, and seizures. It’s essential to maintain a correct balance between adequate hydration and avoiding excessive water. With careful observation of your body’s signals and your hydration need, you should be able to maintain this balance.