How Much Water Do I Need to Drink Every Day?
Water is no longer just good for us: reusable water bottles have become a statement for themselves, signaling our health and environmental concern to the world. We are so accustomed to drinking water all the time that some people panic if they don’t wear it all the time. But how much water do we actually need to drive a car every day? We spoke with the doctor to find out.
While many people may disagree on the exact amount of water you should drink each day, we know that our needs differ depending on our body type, our activity, our diet, and other factors that affect health. Since there is no specific dimension that fits everyone, I consulted with Dr. Pamila Brar , a therapist with over 20 years of experience, to get some basic guidelines. She suggested the following, assuming you live in a temperate climate:
- Men should drink about three liters (about 13 cups) of fluid a day.
- Women should drink about 2.2 liters (about nine cups) of fluid a day.
Of course, this is just a basic level. If you exercise, spend time in hot or dry weather, consume significant amounts of diuretics (such as caffeinated drinks such as soda), or require additional water intake for medication, you may need more water. The easiest way to manage your water intake is to stick to the above baseline and add more water when you feel thirsty.
How can I make sure I am getting enough water?
Assuming you are awake for about 16 hours a day, you would have to drink between 4.65 and 6.25 fluid ounces per hour. This might sound like a lot, but it’s not much more than four to eight sips per hour (depending on how much you consume). If you always have water with you and have an easy way to refill (like a sink, a water cooler, etc.), you won’t have much of a problem.
Also, keep in mind that many foods contain water, and that matters too. Lifehacker Health Editor Beth Skorecki :
We eat about half of our daily water intake: watermelon and soup are over 90% water, you might have guessed, but even a cheeseburger is 42% . We also get water from other drinks like sodas and coffee,even if they contain caffeine . (Although caffeine can act as a diuretic, your body will adapt to this effect over time.)
Besides memorization, many people don’t drink enough water because they don’t like the taste. Sometimes the problem with tap water is bigger than the water itself, so consider a water cooler for your home if you hate the taste of tap water, hate the negative environmental impact of bottled water, or want to pay a lot for life. necessary. drink. If that’s not the problem, there are many ways to enhance the natural taste of water to make your water even more appealing . And don’t forget: food and drinks, in addition to water, count towards your daily consumption.
Can I Drink Too Much Water?
You may have too much, but it will be difficult for you to have too much water. Dr. Brar explains:
In a healthy adult, the kidneys can filter and excrete 15 liters of water per day. Thus, you are unlikely to get too much water unless you drink a huge amount at a time. Just remember to pay attention to thirst signals, try to anticipate when activity or the weather may increase your water needs, and always carry water with you.
For most of us, lack of water is more of a problem than excess. Drinking 15 liters of water daily will not only take a while, but it will also make you feel very uncomfortable. There is really no circumstance in which you accidentally drink too much water (except in cases of drowning / water ingress), so drinking more than you need to is safer than drinking too little.
What happens if I don’t get enough water?
While more water than you need is unlikely to hurt you, too little water can cause all sorts of problems . Water promotes digestion, makes your skin healthier, helps you feel fuller so you don’t overeat, keeps your kidneys healthy (so they can flush out toxins properly), and promotes regular, healthy bowel movements. You lose these benefits if you don’t drink. In addition, dehydration makes you feel tired and tired. Dr. Brar explains why:
Dehydration makes you feel tired. The right amount of water will help your heart pump blood more efficiently, and water can help your blood transport oxygen and other important nutrients to your cells. Water also helps energize muscles and prevent cramping. This is especially important if you are tired at the gym. Drink two cups of water about two hours before your workout.
Water will not only help you stay awake and awake throughout the day, but it will also reduce fatigue during sports and exercise. While the benefits it provides are important, this is one benefit that is especially true for those who work often and for many hours (especially when caffeine is added to the mixture).
After all, you can do without enough water, but you won’t feel good. While it can be difficult to drink as much as you need at first, practice can help you form good drinking habits that will lead to better overall health. Getting more water throughout the day is a good opportunity to get up and take a walk so you don’t sit and go out for too long without interruption. It’s no surprise that water is good for you, but getting enough fluid provides many benefits, and they are well worth it.
This story was originally published in 2013 and was updated on 12/05/19 to provide more complete and up-to-date information.