Stay Hydrated: How Much Water Do you Drink Everyday?

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How much water do you drink in a day?

This question appears simple, but it could be challenging to provide an answer to it.

Over the years, there have been diverse recommendations as to how much water one should drink, but there are variations to this expectation.

It has never been, and will never be a one-size-fits-all recommendation, because everyone has different needs namely, health status, levels of physical activity, and geographical locations.

Therefore, understanding your peculiarities about your body’s needs for fluids will make it easier for you to determine how much water you should drink per day.

Your body needs water

For every dint of cell, tissue, and organ to survive and function properly, your body needs water. Water protects sensitive tissues, regulates and keeps your body temperature normal, helps in the elimination of waste, and cushions and lubricates your joints. Is this not wonderful? How much water do you drink?

When your body lacks water, you become susceptible to dehydration, because your body would not have enough water to carry out its normal functions. Are you treating your body well? Water is so important that, even when you are mildly dehydrated, your energy gets drained, and as a result, you become weak and tired.

How much water should you drink?

Who remembers the “drink 8-ounces glasses of water a day recommendation?”

This is easy and doable, but guess what?

Most people drink water when they are thirsty. While some drink more, others drink less.

Did you know, that when you breathe, perspire, urinate, and have bowel movements, you lose water?

That you must replenish it regularly for your body to perform at its optimum.

One might be tempted to ask: how much fluid intake is adequate? Here are the recommendations of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine:

About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women, and 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids for men.

These recommendations include fluid from beverages, food, water, and other drinks.

Our different needs

Several modifiable parameters determine your fluid intake as listed below:

Physical activity

Generally, when you exercise, you lose fluids. The more intense the physical activity is the more fluid loss.

Therefore, increase your fluid intake to replace the electrolytes and minerals lost during perspiration.

Health status

Vomiting, a rise in body temperature, or diarrhea could lead to fluid loss.

Other examples are urinary tract stones and bladder infections. In such situations, increased fluid intake is highly recommended.

You should hydrate with oral rehydration solutions and follow your doctor’s recommendations.

Pregnancies/lactation

Expectant and lactating mothers have many needs amongst which; staying hydrated is vital. Given this premise, they need additional fluids.

Environmental variations

Perspiration is aggravated in hot and humid weather, while there is a likelihood of the occurrence of dehydration at higher altitudes.

Now, there are so many fruits around us that are loaded with water.

Some include cucumbers and watermelons.

Here is the icing on the cake: besides providing you with water, they promise a warehouse of minerals and antioxidants as well!

Who is in?