It’s an age-old question, how much water should I consume per day? The short answer is more than you think. But before we dive into the amount let’s go over why its important.
The human body is approximately 60% water, so for every 10 kilograms of body weight, 6 of those are water. Water is critically important to the function of our bodies, here are a few of the benefits:
-helps with detoxification
-aids weight loss
-lubricates and protects joints
-Normalizes body temperature
-Maintains bowel movement regularity
-Keeps skin smooth and youthful
-Improves mood
There are others, but I think the point has been made with those listed above. One common issue that arises is the difference between drinking fluids, and just water. Often times people think they are drinking enough water through other sources, such as soda, juice, or coffee. But some beverages like coffee, and especially alcohol can dehydrate you and cancel out water intake for the day.
According to the Mayo clinic, here are the recommendations for water:
About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men
About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women
Children and teens can get away with a bit less water intake at 6-8 cups per day
Remember though, anything that makes you sweat— you need to drink more water to equal out what you lost. That also is true for being outside in the summer on a hot and humid day, or if your intake of salt increases.