We all know that we need water as a staple of life. However, how much water is really necessary to actually keep on living? Everyone’s need for minimum water intake is different. We are all people of different sizes , weights and metabolisms. It also depends not only on how much food you eat but what type of food you eat each day. This is all according to Doctor Baruch Fertel who is an emergency medical doctor at the Cleveland Clinic. Most guidance suggests drinking 8 ounces of water a day. But that will really depend on the various factors set forth above. Other factors include whether you are exercising or not, healthy or not and even the weather where you live. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies recommends that women drink about 11 cups of water a day whether in liquid form, from foods or alternative beverages to water. These type of beverages include but are not limited to orange juice, milk, coffee, tea and soda. Many fruits and vegetables contain liquid as well. Not all liquid is hydrating. Alcohol for instance is actually a diuretic which causes you to lose water. Coffee is one of those drinks many people have one or more times a day but experts are not in agreement whether it is hydrating or dehydrating. It depends on whether you drink decaffeinated or caffeinated coffee and how much you drink. To tell if you are getting enough water intake you can look at your urine. If it looks yellow similar to lemonade in color than you are likely getting enough fluids. If , however, it is dark yellow or too bright you may be dehydrated. If you have trouble urinating or produce a very small amount you may even need to seek medical attention to determine if you are dehydrated.

Key Takeaways:

  • How much water you should drink each day depends on your weight, your activity level, and other factors.
  • You should drink more than the recommended eight glasses of water per day if you have been exercising heavily or if you have had diarrhea.
  • You can also consume water through other liquids, and also from the foods you eat.

“Additionally, confusion, the inability to drink liquids, and severe weakness are signs of dehydration.”

Read more: https://www.health.com/mind-body/how-much-water-should-i-drink-a-day

 

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