Water helps you stay hydrated throughout the day. How much you need depends on your activity, the weather and your health. Food and other drinks count towards your total fluid intake too.
A couple of quick facts about drinking water
- The average solid body of an adult human is 60 percent water, our blood on the other hand, is a whopping 90 percent water.
- 8 glasses of water is common advice people usually give with regards to daily consumption but the fact is, there is no universally correct amount because every human body is different and thus everyone has different daily requirements.
- When a person is dehydrated, their skin is more prone to early wrinkling and other skin disorders.
- Reach for a glass of water instead of a can of soda the next time you get thirsty. It has no sugar and no empty calories.
- According to a CDC questionnaire, about 7 percent of the respondents reported that they don’t drink water on a daily basis and no water at all most days.
The Benefits
Our cells and organs need water to function properly everyday, but aside from that, here are other benefits from drinking water:
- Water lubricates the joints the same way oil lubricates the gears in a machine.
- It helps form saliva, which can aid in digestion.
- It helps with circulating oxygen throughout the body.
- They act as cushions for the brain, spinal cord, and other various sensitive tissues.
- It regulates the body’s temperature.
- It helps produce neurotransmitters and hormones.
- It helps food pass through the intestines smoothly to prevent indigestion.
- It helps flush out the body’s waste.
Aside from drinking water or other beverages, some foods with high water content can also help provide the body with fluids such as fruits like oranges, tomatoes and watermelons and soup dishes.
Water is a practical everyday drink. During illness or substantial fluid loss, a healthcare professional may recommend an oral rehydration solution or other treatment.
Other drinks, including milk, tea and coffee, also contribute fluid. Consider their sugar content and caffeine intake rather than assuming they cannot hydrate you.
The Recommended Intake
The amount of water that a person needs to drink on a daily basis varies by certain factors like their age, weight, special health needs and how active their lifestyle is.
Common adult adequate-intake figures describe total water from food and all drinks, not just water poured into a glass:
- Adult women: around 2.7 litres of total water from food and drinks.
- Adult men: around 3.7 litres of total water from food and drinks.
These figures include water from food and all drinks. Food often supplies about 20% of total water intake, but the share varies with diet. They are not targets for plain water alone.
Individual needs vary with health, activity and conditions. Follow any medical fluid restrictions. Read Mayo Clinic’s explanation of total water intake.