Health

how much drink water a day

Water is essential to maintaining good health, but the amount your body needs varies from person to person. By following these instructions, you can ensure that you are drinking enough fluids.

How much water should be drunk daily? It’s a simple question but without easy answers. Studies have made different recommendations over the years, but in truth, your water needs depend on many factors, including your health, how active you are, and where you live.

Although no one formula works for everyone, knowing more about your body’s fluid needs can help you assess how much water you drink each day.

Health benefits of water

Water is the main chemical component of the body and makes up about 60 percent of your weight. All body systems depend on water. For example, water flushes toxins away from vital organs, transports nutrients into the cell, and provides a moist environment for the tissues of the ear, nose, and throat.

A lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when the body does not have enough water to carry out its normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you feel sick.

How much drink water a day

The body loses water every day through breathing, sweating, urination, and defecation. For the body to function optimally, you must compensate for the lack of water supply by consuming drinks and foods that contain water.

So how much fluid does an average healthy adult in a temperate climate need? The Institute of Medicine of America has determined the ADE for men to be about 13 cups (3 liters) of total beverages per day. The ADA for women is estimated to be about 9 cups (2.2 liters) of total beverages per day.

How about the advice to drink 8 glasses of water a day?

There is a saying that says, “Drink 8 8-ounce glasses of water daily.” This equates to about 1.9 liters, which is no different from the amount recommended by the Institute of Medicine. Although there is no solid evidence to support the “8 by 8” rule, this rule remains popular because it is easy to remember. Just keep in mind that the rule should be rephrased: “Drink 8 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day,” since all fluids are counted as a whole throughout the day.

Factors that affect the body’s water needs

You may need to adjust your total fluid intake based on how active you are, the climate you live in, your health status, and whether the woman is pregnant or breastfeeding.

Playing sports. If you exercise or engage in any activity that makes you sweat, you need to drink extra water to replace fluid loss. Drinking an additional 1.5 to 2.5 cups (400 to 600 milliliters) of water is sufficient for short bouts of exercise, but intense sports lasting more than an hour (for example, running a marathon) require more fluid intake. The additional amount of fluid your body needs depends on the amount of sweat your body produces during exercise, and the duration and type of exercise.

Do intense exercise. During long bouts of intense exercise, it is best to use a sports drink that contains sodium, as it helps replace the amount of sodium lost in sweat and reduce the chances of hyponatremia, which can be life-threatening. In addition, continue to replace fluids after you finish exercising.

The environment. Hot or humid weather can make you sweat and require drinking more fluids. The hot indoor air can also cause the skin to lose its moisture in the wintertime. In addition, areas above 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) may lead to increased urination and rapid breathing, which means that more fluid reserves are used up.

Diseases or health conditions. When you have a fever or have vomiting or diarrhea, your body loses more fluid. In these cases, you should drink more water. In some cases, your doctor may recommend oral rehydration solutions, such as Gatorade, Powerade, or Keralite. You may also need to increase your fluid intake if you have certain conditions, such as a bladder infection or urinary tract stones. On the other hand, there are some pathological conditions, such as heart failure and some types of kidney, liver, and adrenal diseases, that may impede water excretion and even require limiting fluid intake.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Women who are pregnant or who are breastfeeding their children need to drink extra fluids to compensate for dehydration. Especially when breastfeeding, large amounts of fluid are consumed. The Institute of Medicine of America recommends that pregnant women drink about 10 cups (2.3 liters) of fluids per day and women who are breastfeeding have about 13 cups (3.1 liters) of fluids per day.

Other than tap water: there are other sources of water

You don’t need to rely solely on what you drink to meet your body’s fluid needs. What you eat also supplies your body with a large proportion of its fluid needs. On average, food provides about 20 percent of the total water intake. For example, many fruits and vegetables such as watermelon and spinach contain 90 percent or more of their weight in water.

Additionally, drinks such as milk and juice are mostly made up of water. Even caffeinated drinks; such as coffee, tea, or soda; may contribute an amount of water, but it should not represent a large percentage of the total water intake per day. Water remains the best option because it is calorie-free, inexpensive, and readily available.

Maintaining the fluid level in the body in a safe manner

In general, if you drink enough fluids that you rarely feel thirsty and your urine is colorless or light yellow; The amount is about 6.3 cups (1.5 liters) or more per day if you keep measuring it; Then your water intake may be sufficient. And if you’re concerned about your fluid intake or have health problems, see your doctor or certified dietitian. It may help you determine the right amount of water for your condition.

To avoid dehydration and ensure your body has the fluids it needs, make water your beverage of choice. Also, a good idea is to:

Drink a glass of water or other calorie-free or low-calorie beverage with each meal and between meals

Drink water before, during, and after exercise

It is possible to drink too much water, although this condition is not common. When the kidneys cannot expel the excess amount of water, the electrolyte (mineral) content in the blood decreases, resulting in low levels of sodium the blood, a condition known as hyponatremia. Endurance athletes, such as marathon runners, who drink a lot of water, are most at risk of developing hyponatremia. However, in general, it’s rare for healthy adults who follow an average American diet to consume very large amounts of water.

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