How Much Water Should You Drink Each Day? The H20 Guide

Our bodies are made up of 60 percent water, so it is important that we drink plenty of water daily. Water is one thing that we cannot live without because it has numerous health benefits. It hydrates our bodies, flushes out toxins, and helps with digestion. If our bodies do not get enough water, then we will feel weak, tired, and dehydrated. As one of the most important things for our well-being, knowing how much water we should drink daily is important.

Why Drink Water?

We are constantly on a go, whether at home, at work, or at the gym; we are always on the move, and that means that we are sweating. When we sweat, we lose water, and it is important that we drink plenty of water throughout the day in order to give water back to our bodies. Dehydration is no joke, so drinking at least eight cups of water throughout the day should be enough to replenish and rehydrate the body. Even though we get water from the food we eat, it is not enough to make up for all of the water that the body sweats out throughout the day.

Water is especially important for people who work out at the gym or are athletes because their bodies sweat a lot and they need to take care of their muscles. Water will not only replenish the water lost from sweat but will also help the muscles to recover after a workout.

Water is also needed to flush out bad toxins in our bodies. Drinking around two to three liters of water a day, or about eight eight-ounce cups, is how much the Institute of Medicine suggests we drink. Not only does water flush out bad toxins from our bodies, but it also prevents constipation, decreases the risk of kidney stones developing, and helps hydrate the skin.

Fiber is known to help digestion, which is another way to prevent constipation, but fiber attaches itself to water, and if the body is not getting enough water, then our fiber intake is pointless. On average, only four cups of water are consumed by an individual in a day, and according to health experts, this is not enough.

Drinking water helps us feel full. Many times we feel hungry, when in fact, we are actually thirsty. Before grabbing a sandwich or a snack, we should drink water first to make sure that we are fulfilling our bodies’ thirst before its hunger.

How Much is Enough?

As suggested, around two to three liters a day is recommended. Too little can cause dehydration and possible health problems, but too much water can be dangerous as well. Water intoxication is common in children who drink many bottles of water a day and athletes who sweat and try to rehydrate their bodies.

This should not cause alarm if we find ourselves drinking lots of water. It’s hard to purposefully intoxicate ourselves with too much water, but it could happen in a water-drinking contest or with athletes. The most important thing is that we drink water when we feel thirsty and stop when we are full. We should also eat healthy to give our bodies plenty of vitamins and nutrients.

Our urine also helps tells us if we’ve had enough water or not. If urine is colorless and odorless, then the body is getting enough water; however, if urine is dark yellow and has a smell, then that means that the body needs more water. Not enough water can lead to kidney stones and bladder infections.

Ways to Drink More Water

On average, we only drink half the amount of water that we need to drink on a daily basis. Fortunately, drinking water is affordable, so adding a glass here and there will help us increase our daily water intake. For example, drinking two cups of water with each meal will not only help us to drink the amount of water that we need to drink throughout the day, but it will also help us to feel full, which could cause us to eat less and possibly lose weight. Taking a bottle of water to the gym or to work can also help us to get a little more water into our day.

There are people who do not like the taste of water, and for them, drinking more water may be hard to do. Bottled water or water filters have different tastes than tap water, so people who do not like water much can try these options in order to help hydrate their bodies and stay healthy. We can also get our water from tea, fruits, coffee, milk, vegetables, and other food sources.