Water, it is said, is the elixir of life. On an average, it makes up about 60% of your body weight. We all know the importance of drinking water for our health and wellbeing.
Water flushes poisonous toxins out of vital organs and carries nutrients to your Cells. The lack of adequate water in your body can affect the normal functions of the body organs and can lead to dehydration. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired.
But how much water do we need to drink everyday? The answer to this question can be quite tricky because the daily requirement of water differs from individual to individual. Many factors play a role in determining how much water you need to drink on a daily basis. | |
How much water to drink
Although there is no scientific evidence to prove this, consuming eight glasses or about 2liters of water a day is generally recommended and is said to be beneficial for the body. Of course, some individuals may need more and some lesser.
The amount of water you consume or can consume everyday depends on various factors: |
- Strenuous physical work can lead to heavy sweating and in order to keep yourself hydrated you will need to drink more water.
- The climatic conditions in which you live also determine your water intake. If you live in hot and humid weather conditions, you may need to drink more water to make up for the loss of body fluids due to excessive sweating. Living in cold weather conditions may reduce your need for water intake.
- Your health status also determines how much water you can be permitted to drink. For example, health conditions such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. leads to more fluid loss and dehydration. So you need to drink more water to keep yourself hydrated. On the other hand, heart failure, kidney disease, etc. impairs the excretion of fluid from your body. Under these conditions you have to limit your water intake.
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Water during pregnancy/breastfeeding
Pregnant women and/or breastfeeding women need to consume more water to keep hydrated. During breastfeeding, your body takes up a lot of fluid. Hence there is a need to replenish it by drinking additional water or fluids. Your doctor will be able to advice you as to how much fluids you can consume depending on your current health and the climatic conditions you live in.
Other sources of water
You do not have to drink plain water alone to take care of your fluid needs. Certain foods contain plenty of water too. Fruits and vegetables such as watermelon and tomatoes contain a lot of water. Milk, juices, coffee, tea, beer, wine, etc. all contain a lot of water. But it is always better to drink plain water. It is easily available and will quench your thirst like nothing else can. What’s more—it is calorie free. | |
Keep yourself hydrated
It is not necessary that you have to drink water only when you feel thirsty. It is quite possible that by the time you begin to feel thirsty your body is already dehydrated to some extent. Always keep a bottle of water within reach and drink from it occasionally.
Drink water that is slightly cold or that which is stored in room temperature. When you drink water that is too cold, you tend to drink less since upon quenching your thirst you normally stop drinking. This may not really fulfill your body’s required quantity of water.
So by taking water that is at room temperature you may drink a couple of glasses more which can be very beneficial. | |
Here are a few tips that will help keep you hydrated. Adults must follow these tips and also encourage children to do so:
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- Keep a bottle of water at your work desk or within easy reach.
- Drink a glass of water before, during and after meals. This will keep your digestive system lubricated and promote better digestion.What’s more you may also eat less which will keep you from putting on weight.
- Drink water before, during and after exercise.
- Avoid alcohol. Alcohol causes dehydration.
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| If you are concerned about your fluid intake, consult your doctor about it and seek help. Your doctor is the best person to help you determine the amount of water that is best for you. About 8–10 glasses of non-alcoholic beverage is a good recommendation, to keep your body hydrated in an ideal climate. |