Hydration Is Key!
Did you know that the human body is made up of about 60% water? Our bodies depend on water to operate almost all bodily functions, which is why it’s important to drink enough water every day to keep your body properly hydrated. Many factors contribute to how much water you need to drink including:
- Your overall health
- Medications you take
- Your age
- How much you exercise
- Your diet
- Whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding
How much water do you actually need to drink?
According to the Mayo Clinic and U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is around 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women.
That is a general rule of thumb for a healthy adult living in a temperate climate. Review the list of factors above, that may influence whether you should modify these amounts. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are suffering from certain health issues, consult your doctor about how much water you should be drinking daily.
Need ways to drink more water?
Do you find it hard to consume enough water during the day? Here are a few tips to help you reach maximum hydration throughout the day:
- Spice up your water with things like slices of lemon, lime, cucumber or orange
- Try drinking fizzy, carbonated water or plain seltzer
- Buy a fun cup or water bottle that will encourage you to drink more water
- Tie drinking water into your daily routine such as taking a sip each time you eat, when you wake up and before you go to bed, so that it becomes a habit
- Set a daily goal and track your water intake with a habit tracker so you can work towards your goal each day
Can certain foods also help keep you hydrated?
“While fruits and vegetables do contribute to the body’s overall hydration, it is important to remember that drinking water is the best way to provide your body with the adequate amount of fluids,” says Cesar Espiritu MD, PIH Health Family Medicine physician in Whittier.
It is not to be forgotten though that getting your daily serving of fruits and vegetables is also important. Did you know that there are naturally hydrating foods such as watermelon, oranges, celery, cucumbers and tomatoes that also provide many other nutritional benefits?
Dr. Espiritu says that being adequately hydrated can contribute to good joint health, improved workout stamina and mental focus, and keep the body functioning properly. Drinking enough water every day is just one way you can work towards bettering your overall health.
If you are unsure about how much water you should be drinking, talk to your doctor. To find a PIH Health Physician near you, visit PIHHealth.org/Doctors or for more information about Dr. Espiritu, visit his physician profile.
