You’ve probably heard that you should be drinking eight glasses of water every day, but you may not know why or if this is actually accurate. The truth is that the amount of water each person needs to drink is dependent on a variety of factors.
Your body is made up of about 60% water and is dependent on it to survive. In fact, every single cell in your body needs water in order to work properly. Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration which can drain your energy levels among other negative impacts on your health.
Traditional wisdom states that you should drink eight, eight-ounce glasses of water each day. Other studies have shown that men need 15.5 cups per day while women need 11.5 cups each day. That includes water from foods, which makes up for about 20% of your daily water intake.
Other factors that can impact how much water you need include:
- Environment – Living in a hot or humid environment such as in Phoenix means you are likely to sweat more and need more water.
- Exercise – If you take part in activities that make you sweat, you’ll lose more water and need to replace it. You can also try a sports drink to replace electrolytes lost from sweating.
- Health – If you are sick with a fever or are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, your body will lose more fluids. You should drink more water or ask your doctor for oral rehydration solutions.
Drinking plenty of water can also help you control your calories. Water has zero calories and is a great substitution for higher calorie beverages. Foods with high water content need to be chewed more which can help you feel full. Water also helps keep your skin looking good, energizes your muscles, and helps your kidneys among other benefits.
Almost everyone can benefit from drinking more water, but there are certain obstacles that may be preventing you from doing so. If your drinking water has a bad taste or smell, consider having your water treated by Aqua Science so it’s enjoyable again. Give us a call today at 480-454-3700 to schedule a consultation.
