How Much Water Should You Be Drinking?
Water, which composes 60% of our body, is essential for survival and vitally important in living a healthy life. We all know we need to drink water, but few of us actually get the required daily amount. With the addition of exercise, the average American comes up chronically short. Water is necessary for the proper functioning of every cell, tissue, and organ in our body.
HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU BE DRINKING?
Well, that depends. Various factors such as your age, size, sex, physical activity levels and the climate play a role in determining the total amount of water you need each day. If the weather is hotter, you are generally going to perspire more than if it's cooler outside. The taller and heavier you are, the more water your body needs for daily functions.
THE BENEFITS OF WATER
The benefits of water are often overlooked. Most of us don't even know why our bodies need so much water, which is probably why we live in constant dehydration. Studies show that two thirds of Americans fall short of the proper amount. Some of the benefits of water include:
1. Boosts metabolism
2. Aids in weight loss
3. Helps satiety (making you feel full)
4. Regulates body temperature
5. Helps your heart pump more efficiently
6. Transports oxygen
7. Lubricates joints
8. Helps hydrate and nourish skin, preventing aging
9. Helps flush your digestive tract, keeping you "regular"
10. Fights infections
11. Improves cognitive performance
12. Prevents bad breath
WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO CALCULATE WATER INTAKE?
The recommended daily intake is 3.7 liters of water for men and 2.7 liters for women. With exercise, this will be even higher, closer to 4 liters. To get an estimate in ounces based on your size, the general guideline says to drink at least half to one ounce of water per pound of your bodyweight. So, if you weigh 200 lbs., you will need to consume 100-200 ounces of water.
DOES IT HAVE TO BE WATER?
Ok, but does my ________ count? The answer is most likely going to be no. Unfortunately, your coffee does not count towards your daily water goals. In fact, coffee is actually a diuretic which causes you to lose more water than you're consuming. There are only two things that count as water - water itself and brewed tea (such as the kind you brew from a tea bag). If you find water boring, there are plenty of ways to spice things up while still keeping it healthy. Try adding some fresh fruit, lemon, or mint to make it more palatable and interesting!
If you would like to know how much water you need personally or are interested in learning more about the different nutrients and what you should be consuming each day to optimize your health, feel free to reach out and we can set up a time to go over them!