How Much Water The Body Needs To Stay Healthy

“Drink eight glasses of water a day,” most people say. But, how much do we really need to stay healthy?

Whatever season we may be in, our bodies will always crave water. It is a necessity to stay hydrated and healthy. Water is needed to keep the mind and body in their optimal health, regulate body temperature, transport nutrients, and remove waste away from the body.

However, the question is, “how much water do we really need each day?”

Daily water requirement

Contrary to the popular saying, “drink eight glasses of water each day,” there’s no one-amount-fits-all quantity to fulfill everybody’s daily water requirement. The amount of water each one needs vary by age, gender, body composition, amount of physical activity, and area of residence, whether it’s hot, humid, or cold.

However, according to The Food and Nutrition Board at the Federal Institute of Medicine, an estimate on a healthy balance of water for adult men is about 3.7 liters or 15 8-ounce glasses of water daily. For women, it’s about 2.7 liters or 11 8-ounce glasses of water.

According to Dr. Michael Sayre, a doctor at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center, people must also listen to their brain and body. People must never ignore signals from their brain and body saying they need water – thirst.

Symptoms of dehydration

When a person neglects thirst because of physical impairment or lack of access to water, it can lead to dehydration. Dehydration often happens when a person is already behind his or her healthy water balance. It can begin with little notice within just a few hours of extreme heat or a high-intensity exercise. That’s why it’s always recommended to keep a bottle of water handy to drink from all throughout the day.

Dehydration can result in fatigue, dizziness, headaches, sleepiness, and dry mouth. Darker urine also signals lack of water.

Ways to stay hydrated

Some people need more water than others. People suffering from diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure tend to medicate with diuretics, medications causing the body to lose more water than normal. That’s why it’s recommended for these people to consult their doctors on how to keep themselves hydrated.

To stay hydrated, it’s a must to drink up when thirsty, and drink more when losing water through sweat or urine. Water intake must always balance water loss to prevent dehydration and other medical problems. The more water lost to sweating or other activities, the more water is needed to replace with food and drinks.

Aside from water and other fluids, we can also hydrate our bodies by eating hydrating foods such as raw fruits and vegetables.

So, the next time your body signals thirst, listen. Your body knows how much water you need best and when!