You have been told from time and again to keep drinking water because it is important for almost every process that your body goes through in a day. Drinking water replenishes the body and the organs to work efficiently. It helps in removing the unwanted spots on your skin and also supplies you with lots of energy.
But what is the right amount of water you should drink in a day to keep yourself hydrated? What are the factors that decide the amount of your daily water intake?
Benefits of Water
Drinking a desirable amount of water can help you look your best. Water makes the skin healthy. Drinking enough water keeps your skin hydrated and gives it an instant glow. It also helps in maintaining your weight because water has zero calories. Drinking water is essential for your health. Water helps in the maintenance of the body temperature, and aids in eliminating body wastes in the form of urine and sweat. It also protects the spine along with other tissues and lubricates and cushions the joints.
The amount of water intake is directly proportional to the body weight of the person. Our human body weight comprises of 60% water content; therefore, water is quintessential for our bodies to function smoothly. Are you drinking enough water?
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How Much Water To Drink Per Day
The water intake per person not only depends on our body weight but also on factors like sex, age, and activity level. Pregnancy and breast feeding contribute to other factors causing variations in the water intake. Here’s an overview of how much water to drink in a day to keep you hydrated:
• Adults
For people falling in the age bracket of 19 years and above, they need to consume at least 3.7 liters (for men) which is about 13 cups of water and 2.7 liters (for women) which come up to 9 cups of water for a healthy and functioning body. This amount includes your entire fluid intake, be it in the form of fruits, vegetables or any other food item that contains fluids.
• Children
Age plays a significant role in contemplating the appropriate amount of water consumption for kids. Boys and girls falling under the age bracket of 4-8 years should drink about five cups of water i.e. 40 ounces. The intake increases to 7-8 cups for kids of age 9-13 years. For kids between 14-18 years, they should drink 8-11 cups of water regularly to keep themselves hydrated.
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• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
In such cases, the amount differs. A pregnant woman irrespective of her age should consume about 80 ounces of water. And all mothers who are breastfeeding their little ones should swear to consume at least 104 ounces or a good 13 cups of water every day.
Lack Of Water In The Body
Other factors that can regulate or change the water intake are:
#1. Demo graphical Factors such as living at an elevation greater than 8,200 feet above sea level, requires a higher intake of water.
#2. During fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, the body loses its fluid content. Drinking more water will help in preventing dehydration.
#3. Living in hot climate requires more water content.
#4. Add 2-3 cups of water in case you exercise regularly.
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Is Drinking 8 Glasses Of Water A Fact Or A Myth?
One cannot be sure if 8 glasses of water suffice every individual’s water requirements. The “8 by 8” policy is quite high on the popularity charts because it is simple to learn, but it does not have any strong evidence of support. Because the amount of daily water intake of every person depends on various factors, fixing a number would just be unfair.
Do you drink enough water? Let us know in the comment section below.
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while doctors recommend you to drink 3-4 liters of water on a daily basis, I have also heard of studies that determined that not drinking much water did not show any significant change in the health of any individual. We tend to consume the water needed by our body through the food that we consume since most of the things we eat have water present in them.