![]() But it may be surprising to learn that water intake is an individualized number. Some older adults, for example, may need to consciously remind themselves to drink water, because aging can reduce the sensation of thirst ( 17).How much water should you drink a day? Most people need about four to six cups of plain water each day. However, keep in mind that this does not apply to everyone. Make up for fluid loss by drinking more during hot weather and exercise. If you want to keep things simple, just listen to your body and let thirst be your guide. Taking all this into account, it’s clear that water needs are highly individual.Įight glasses of water per day may be more than enough for some people, but it may be too little for others. If you’re an athlete, live in a hot climate, or are currently breastfeeding, your water requirements increase ( 16). While this may certainly be used as a guideline, there are a number of factors, both inside your body and in your environment, that influence your need for water.īody size, composition, and activity level vary greatly from person to person. Staying hydrated may aid in weight loss, help maximize physical performance, relieve constipation, and more. Although more research is needed, there is some evidence that increasing water consumption may help prevent recurrence of kidney stones in people with a tendency to form them ( 13, 14). However, more research on this possible effect is needed ( 12). In people who are dehydrated, drinking enough water may help prevent and relieve constipation. In dehydrated people, water may help relieve headache symptoms ( 10, 11). For those prone to headaches, drinking additional water may reduce the intensity and duration of episodes. Losing only 2% of your body’s water content during exercise may increase fatigue and reduce motivation ( 9). Modest dehydration may impair physical performance. Drinking enough water may help you burn more calories, reducing appetite if consumed before a meal and lowering the risk of long-term weight gain ( 8). Generally speaking, that means replacing the water you lose through breath, sweat, urine, and feces.ĭrinking enough water may offer health benefits, including: You need to drink enough water to stay optimally hydrated. Some water is also created within your body through metabolism.ĭrinking enough water has some health benefits Summaryīesides water, other foods and beverages you ingest also contribute to your overall daily intake of fluids and help keep you hydrated. People who don’t get much water from foods need to drink more than those who eat more water-rich foods. This is referred to as metabolic water ( 7). Lastly, small amounts of water are produced within your body when you metabolize nutrients. Fruits and vegetables are particularly rich in water, and foods like meat, fish, and eggs also have a relatively high water content.įor example, watermelon is 91% water, and eggs are 76% water ( 5, 6). ![]() How much water you get from food depends on the amount of water-rich foods you eat. ![]() Many of the foods you eat also contain significant amounts of water. Other beverages, like milk and fruit juice, count as well.Ĭontrary to popular belief, caffeinated beverages and mild alcoholic drinks such as beer may also contribute to fluid intake, at least when they’re consumed in moderation ( 2, 3, 4). It’s not just plain water that supplies your body with water. Water needs vary by individual, and you should let thirst guide your intake.įoods and beverages other than water can contribute to hydration There is no scientific evidence to support the 8×8 rule. In this state, you may experience fatigue, headache, and impaired mood ( 1).īut in order to stay hydrated and avoid mild dehydration, you don’t need to rigorously follow the eight glasses rule - simply follow your thirst. On the other hand, not drinking enough water can cause mild dehydration, defined as the loss of 1–2% of body weight due to fluid loss. While there are certainly circumstances in which water needs increase, healthy people generally don’t need to be consuming water in such large quantities. However, a growing body of research suggests that this broad recommendation may actually be too much water for some people and not enough for others. There are theories that it may be based on a fluid intake of 1 ml per calorie of food consumed.įor someone eating a diet of 2,000 calories per day, this adds up to 2,000 ml (roughly 64 ounces), or eight 8-ounce glasses. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where and when the “eight glasses per day” rule originated. Evidence for drinking 8 glasses of water each day
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |