Did you know that about ¾ of American adults don’t drink enough water? Although we all know water is essential for survival, many of water’s health benefits are underlooked. For instance, water rids the body of waste, regulates body temperature, and benefits joints as well as tissues.
However, even those who understand the benefits of water struggle to understand the appropriate amount of water one should aim to drink each day. Here are a few guidelines for you to follow:
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The fluid intake of men should be at least 3.5-3.7 liters of water a day, it should be at least 2.5-2.7 liters for women.
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This includes any fluid intake from food or beverages.
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One of the most commonly heard phrases is “drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day”
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This is a reasonable goal and easy to remember.
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Factors that influence your water intake:
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Exercise – Obviously, sweat is produced when you exercise. Therefore, drink before, during, and after your workout.
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Environment – Hot weather or high altitudes may require more fluid intake.
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Overall health – Generally, the weaker your body, the more fluid intake you need. However, consult a doctor for more information.
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How much water is too much water?
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Although rare, there are situations where people can drink too much water. This condition is called hyponatremia, and it occurs when the salt concentration in your body is diluted. This may occur when someone drinks more than three liters of water at a time, however, it varies.
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I hope this article gave you a better idea of the appropriate amount of water intake. Remember, these are just general guidelines and many specific factors vary for everyone. Regardless, remember to drink water and saty hydrated. 😉
IMAGE CREDITS:
Photo by manu schwendener on Unsplash (Top Photo)
Photo by Alex Perez on Unsplash (Second Photo)
