Drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration
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How much water should you drink a day? You probably know that it's important to drink plenty of fluids when the temperatures soar outside. But staying hydrated is a daily necessity, no matter what the thermometer says. Unfortunately, many of us aren't getting enough to drink, especially older adults. Older people don't sense thirst as much as they did when they were younger. And that could be a problem if they're on a medication that may cause fluid loss, such as a diuretic. Benefits of drinking waterWater keeps every system in the body functioning properly. The Harvard Medical School Special Health Report 6-Week Plan for Health Eating notes that water has many important jobs, such as:
Giving your body enough fluids to carry out those tasks means that you're staying hydrated. If you don't drink enough water each day, you risk becoming dehydrated. Warning signs of dehydration include weakness, low blood pressure, dizziness, confusion, or urine that's dark in color. So how much water should you drink? Most people need about four to six cups of water each day. How much water should you drink a day?The daily four-to-six cup rule is for generally healthy people. It's possible to take in too much water if you have certain health conditions, such as thyroid disease or kidney, liver, or heart problems; or if you're taking medications that make you retain water, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opiate pain medications, and some antidepressants. How much water a day should you drink if you fit into that category? There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Water intake must be individualized, and you should check with your doctor if you are not sure about the right amount for you. But even a healthy person's water needs will vary, especially if you're losing water through sweat because you're exercising, or because you're outside on a hot day. If you're wondering how much water you should drink on those occasions, speak with your doctor, but a general rule of thumb for healthy people is to drink two to three cups of water per hour, or more if you're sweating heavily. Tips for avoiding dehydrationIt's not just water that keeps you hydrated. All beverages containing water contribute toward your daily needs. And it's a myth that caffeinated beverages or those containing alcohol are dehydrating because they make you urinate. They do, but over the course of the day, the water from these beverages still leads to a net positive contribution to total fluid consumption. Of course, there are many reasons why water is still the better choice. Remember, sugary drinks can lead to weight gain and inflammation, which can increase your risk for developing diseases such as diabetes. Too much caffeine can give you the jitters or keep you from sleeping. And, alcohol intake should be limited to one drink per day for women, and 1-2 drinks per day for men. To ward off dehydration, drink fluids gradually, throughout the day. An easy way to do this is to have a drink at each meal, as well as socially, or with medicine. And know that you also get fluids from water-rich foods, such as salads, fruit, and applesauce. Image: taa22/Getty images About 60% of your body weight is made of water. You need it for every single body function. It flushes toxins from your organs, carries nutrients to your cells, cushions your joints, and helps you digest
the food you eat. If you don’t get enough water, you can become dehydrated. Severe cases of dehydration can cause dizziness,
confusion, and even seizures. That’s why it’s important to get the water as your body needs every day. No set amount is right for everyone. How much you need can depend on your size, how much exercise you do, how hot the weather is, and other things. Your doctor can help you determine what’s right for you. We’ve all heard that 8 glasses of water each day is best. But the truth is, how much water you need varies. But there are some basic guidelines: If you’re outside on a hot day, or doing something that makes you sweat a lot, you’ll need to drink more fluids to stay hydrated. The same is true if you have an illness that causes you to throw up, have
diarrhea, or run a fever. If you have a condition like heart failure or a particular type of
kidney disease, you may need to limit your fluid intake. Talk to your doctor about what’s right for you. Like adults, how much water children need depends on many things, like their age, how much they weigh, and their gender. Other things that play
a role include how healthy and active they are, and what the climate is like where they live. In general, children and teens need about 6 to 8 cups of water a day. They should also eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies, which are full of water. During play or exercise, a good goal
is to drink a half cup to 2 cups of water every 15 to 20 minutes. Water helps to keep you healthy in a number of ways. When you drink enough, it: Your recommended water intake includes all sources -- drinking water, other beverages, and food. But be careful -- certain fluids have their drawbacks. For instance, juices, sodas, and smoothies can be hydrating, but they can also be high in sugar and
calories. Coffee and tea provide water, too. But, they also contain caffeine, which can make you lose
more water when you pee. Most healthy people can safely drink about 2 to 4 8-ounce cups of coffee each day. Scale back if it makes you feel anxious or jittery. Alcoholic drinks contain water, too. But like
caffeine, they actually cause you to lose more water through your urine. This can lead to dehydration. Sports
drinks have a high water content. They also contain carbohydrates and electrolytes, which can help you absorb water and keep your energy levels up. During intense workouts, they help to replace salt lost through sweat. But be careful: many also contain lots of extra calories,
sugar, and salt. Check the nutrition label. Pay attention to the serving size, and limit how many you drink. Energy drinks are different from sports drinks. They contain sugar, as well as stimulants, like caffeine -- often in high doses. Many doctors recommend that children and teens avoid them. And don’t forget foods! Fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, iceberg lettuce, celery, and watermelon are over 90% water. They also provide a variety of different vitamins and minerals. Refreshing! It’s rare if you’re a healthy adult who eats a regular American diet. But
it can happen. If you drink a lot of water but your kidneys can’t get rid of the excess, you could develop a condition doctors call “hyponatremia.” That means the minerals in your blood are diluted, or watered down. As a result, sodium levels in the
blood fall. Your body’s water levels rise and your cells swell. It can lead to serious (even life-threatening) problems. Endurance athletes, like marathon runners, are at risk for this condition. Certain health conditions can also play a role in how much water you need. Ask your doctor for guidance if you: Do you drink enough fluid that you rarely feel thirsty? Is your pee either clear or light yellow? If you can answer “yes” to both, you’re probably getting all the fluid you need. Is 4 bottles of water a day enough?Other medical experts recommend drinking at least half of your body weight in ounces of water per day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink at least 75 ounces of water each day (that's approximately four and a half 16.9 oz. Absopure water bottles).
Is 3 water bottles a day enough?The National Academies of Sciences is another organization that weighs in on the amount of water you should drink each day, stating that about 2.7 liters for women and 3.7 liters of water for men per day are about right. That would be about 5-6 bottles of water for women and 7-8 bottles for men.
Is 8 bottles of water a day too much?You've probably heard the advice to drink eight glasses of water a day. That's easy to remember, and it's a reasonable goal. Most healthy people can stay hydrated by drinking water and other fluids whenever they feel thirsty. For some people, fewer than eight glasses a day might be enough.
How much bottled water should you drink in a day?Because there are 8 fluid ounces in a cup, you should drink eight cups of water per day. Most disposable water bottles are around 16 ounces, so that would mean you should drink three to four bottles of water each day.
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How many bottles of water should you drink everyday
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