As you can imagine, any component that makes up 60 to 70 percent of our body weight has to be important when it comes to one’s body and health. Since the majority of our bodies are made up of water, it is constantly running through our blood, muscles, and joints, assisting in brain and lung functions. All the essential organs of our body require ample amounts of water in order to perform properly. Although we see it and use it everyday for multiple purposes, many individuals do not understand how important consuming water is to our overall health.
If you do not drink enough water there can be severe consequences. The most common negative effect of not consuming enough water is dehydration. When someone becomes dehydrated, their organs do not have the fluids they need in order to operate. This can cause many problems, sometimes quite severe, and may even lead to organ failure. Some signs of dehydration include dry mouth, headache, dizziness, weakness, or being lightheaded. Because dehydration has been a cause of death among many infants and elderly, it is important to remember all of these symptoms.
We all know we cannot breathe or live without air. What many of us did not know is that after air, water is the most important element in order to survive. Unfortunately, studies have shown that the majority of individuals do not drink enough water in order to maintain a good and healthy life. Our bodies’ lose large amounts of water on a daily basis just in normal activities. What activities am I referring to? Well, by just breathing, urinating, and sweating, our bodies are losing most of the water it uses in order to keep functioning. This is why it is important to replenish your body by drinking beverages or eating foods that contain water. Also, not only does water help our bodies maintain a normal body temperature, it helps carry oxygen to our blood cells as well as removing wastes from our bodies. Since every system in our bodies depends on water, consuming the right amount will help keep us all healthy. But, what exactly is the “right” amount?
As you have probably heard, many experts say one should consume eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. Although this is a good estimate, the actual amount of water your body needs varies depending on the individual. Here are three aspects you should consider when figuring out how much water you should drink on a daily basis.
- Your weight.
- Physical activity (running, working out, or any activity).
- The climate you live in.
Starting off with weight, it’s obvious that the more you weigh, the more water you should consume. Studies have shown that by drinking 50 to 75 percent of your body weight in ounces is an accurate amount. If you do not consider yourself an active person, then 50 percent would be more in your range. For example, if you weigh 120 pounds, you should drink at least 60 ounces of water each day. However, if you work out daily or you are involved in other activities then you should drink more towards 75 percent of your body weight. You will need more water to keep your body hydrated. Although it is important to keep your body hydrated while you are exercising, it is also important to drink a full glass after you work out. Also keep in mind how much you sweat. Obviously the more you sweat, the more water your body is releasing. If this is the case, make sure to drink enough so you will not become dehydrated. Weather conditions you live in should also be taken into consideration. If you live in a hot or dry climate then you should drink an additional 16 ounces everyday. It is always important to remember these three things when determining the amount of water you should to drink daily.
In order to give your body the nutrients it needs it is essential to ensure you drink enough water each day. Drinking it all at once is not necessarily a good idea though. When you wake up in the morning, fill up a glass. This will even help you come awake if you are not a morning person! Throughout the day continue to drink glasses of water, before and after meals. If you are someone who does not necessarily enjoy the taste of water, then try adding some lemon or another fruit juice to give it some flavor. Make it special by using a pretty glass, and adding ice cubes. Have a small dish of fruit with your water and it becomes a treat!
Now that you know what to do, you can calculate the amount of water your body needs and begin living a healthy lifestyle!