It’s possible that you already consume sufficient fluids. However, on the other hand, you might not be getting enough.
Learn how much water you should drink, why water is essential for your health, and how to get enough of it each day.
Your body’s cells, tissues, and organs require water to function properly and for you to stay alive. Water plays a crucial role in four fundamental bodily processes:
You’ve heard that you need eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. That’s a general recommendation to stay hydrated, but you actually need more than that per day. However, the fluids you need come from other food and beverages beyond water.
You may need more or less than eight glasses of water a day. It depends on the following factors:
If the taste of water is displeasing to you, you might have difficulty drinking enough plain water to meet your daily fluid needs. Luckily, there are plenty of other sources that can take the place of regular, flat, tap, or bottled water. The following items have high water content:
Sports drinks are best when you use them after intense exercise that lasts over an hour. This kind of fluid replaces lost electrolytes and sugar, but it doesn’t count as part of your daily water intake.
However, never use an energy drink as part of your water intake. Energy drinks contain huge amounts of caffeine, sugar, and other additives, including stimulants. The same goes for fruit juice, another drink loaded with sugars.
You’re probably taking in enough liquids to stay safely hydrated if you’re rarely thirsty and your urine is light yellow or almost colorless. Dark yellow urine can mean you’re dehydrated.
Maintaining proper hydration is crucial for sustaining good health, but it’s not always easy to remember to drink enough water. That’s why we’ve compiled some tips to help you stay on track. Whether you prefer to carry a reusable water bottle, set reminders on your phone, or infuse your water with fresh fruit, there are many ways to make staying hydrated fun and easy. With these simple strategies, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of drinking enough water and feel your best every day.