How Much Water Is Enough?

 

If you read up on the amount of water you need every day, you’ll see a rather large number but according to Mayo Clinic, that number may not be correct.  Let’s start with how water helps us.  First of all, your body weight is composed of 50% to 70% water and it is necessary to survive

Water helps get rid of wastes from the body via urination, sweating, and breathing.  It also helps your body regulate its temperature, and helps lubricate and provide padding for joints.  If you consume enough water, you will dehydrate and feel off and tired. Since your body is always losing water, you need to replenish it on a regular basis.  

On average, it is recommended men consume about 15.5 cups of water each day while it is suggested women only need around 11.5 cups each day.  However, there are some situations which will contribute to a person’s need to increase their intake of water on any one day. 

For instance, if you exercise, it is necessary to drink water before, during, and after so you minimize water loss. If it is hot outside, you will need more water due to an increased amount of sweating and if you are at higher altitudes, you may end up with dehydration if you are not careful.

You also can lose liquid when you have a fever due to sweating, or if you vomit or have diarrhea so you need to make sure you regularly drink liquids.  There are also certain medical conditions such as a bladder infection that require additional liquid. Furthermore, it is easy for people to think about fluids in the summer when it is hot but in the winter when it is cold, 

In cold weather, most houses have some form of heating going.  Central heating causes the house to have dryer air which can lead to losing more moisture by just breathing.  In addition, your kidneys actually excrete more liquid in the winter than in the summer and it is sometimes harder to remember to drink fluids in the winter.

If you wait till you are thirsty, you are already on your way to being dehydrated.  It is important to drink plenty of fluids regularly throughout the day.  Drink some with all your meals, between meals, before, during, and after exercising or being outside on a warm day and if you feel thirsty.  Another way to monitor your hydration levels is to look at the color of your urine.  You want it to be a very light yellow, not a dark vibrant yellow.  If it is dark yellow, that is a sign to tell you to drink more. 

When people are mildly dehydrated, they will experience difficulty in concentrating, have trouble remembering things, and exhibit bad moods.  To avoid even mild dehydration, enjoy consuming lots of fruits and vegetables which are 90 to 95 percent water or add soup to your daily diet.  

When I worked at an outdoor theater, the rule was to keep drinking enough liquid to have to go to the bathroom on a regular basis.  A person should be going at least 6 to 7 times each day and as mentioned before, make sure your urine is a very pale yellow, not a deep yellow or orange.  Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear.  Have a great day.