6-8 Glasses a Day
Growing up, we were told that we needed at least six-to-eight glasses of water a day to keep our bodies healthy and doctors have not changed that recommendation for as long as I can remember. But, the question that comes to me is a concern for many. Is that really enough water for my body?
This rule of six-to-eight glasses a day would be great if we were all the same. However, everyone has a different body type. A child will definitely need less water than an adult. Therefore, the best rule of thumb to follow is this: people should drink according to their body weight. For every 50 pounds, a person weighs, one liter of water (approximately four and one quarter cups per liter) should be consumed. Given this, an average person weighing around 200 pounds will want to drink one gallon of water. Keeping urine a light-colored yellow is a good indicator of hydration. Thirst is your body’s final indication that it needs water.
When we are born, our body is comprised of approximately 90 percent water, but over time, our bodies lose about 20 percent of that initial amount. As we go through the daily grind of breathing, urinating, sweating and bowel movements, we lose water and look for something to quench our thirst. For everyday drinks we choose coffee, sports drinks, sodas, alcohol, juices, and teas as alternatives. Unfortunately, most of these choices are not the best for our bodies.
Coffees and teas can act as diuretics and actually cause the loss of more water. As for sports drinks, they build up higher levels of sugar that most of our bodies do not need. Sodas also induce high levels of sugar, and because of the carbonation, they prevent proper hydration. An elevated sugar level releases a surge of insulin, which makes us feel tired.
In the United States, 75 percent of people are chronically dehydrated. Many ailments can arise when a person loses one-to-two percent of their water body weight, such as fatigue and slower critical thinking, etc.
Water is the body’s most important nutrient and we need to keep properly hydrated to perform our best. Drinking water is also a great way to rid the body of metabolic wastes. A high level of metabolic wastes can lead to premature aging.
To keep yourself productive throughout the workday, stay hydrated by having a 16 ounce bottle of water with you at all times (two 16 ounce bottles = 1 quart). You should be urinating at least every two-to-three hours and be monitoring the color of your urine.
As for athletes, make a schedule and drink accordingly. You can weigh yourself before and after an event to approximate your water loss (16 ounce of water/pound lost). Don’t use thirst as a reminder to drink because as your body ages, it loses its ability to sense dehydration.
If you are still unsure of how much water you should be drinking or have problems due to a medical condition, contact your doctor or dietician. They can assist in determining the correct amount for you.
Drinking water is something that is easy to do and can prevent many ailments that may be mistaken for a different cause. If you know you don’t drink enough water, try increasing by a liter and see what it can do for your body and your mind. Why would you want to pass up something practically free that’s going to keep your body working and functioning efficiently?
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