Water is one of the most basic elements of life

Water is a basic element of life but figuring out how much we ought to drink hasn’t always been so simple. How much water should you drink each day? It’s a simple question with no easy answer. And you hear all the time “drink eight 8 ounce glasses of water each day” – where does that come from and why is that what you’re supposed to do? Most healthy people can stay hydrated by drinking water and other fluids whenever they feel thirsty. For some people, fewer than eight glasses a day might be enough. But other people might need more. There is no one size fits all answer because it depends on a variety of factors such as your overall health, activity level, where you live, if you’re pregnant/breast feeding.

Water makes up about 70% of our body composition and because it’s a basic element of life, our body needs water every day to survive. There are many benefits to drinking water each day such as:

Every cell, tissue & organ need water to survive and work properly
Regulates body temperature
Lubricates our joints
Protects tissue from damage
Eliminates waste through sweat, urination and bowel movements
Boosts Metabolism

One study found people who drank enough water actually consume 75 fewer calories at each meal. That’s 27,000 less calories per year; an 8 pound loss in weight.

Many people actually consume less water than they need. Lack of water causes:

Dehydration
Fatigue
Drop in blood pressure/flow
Decreased muscle & nerve function
Constipation
Headache
Irritability
Brain fog
Thirst
Dry skin
……and more

So, what’s a good guideline on how much water you need each day?

According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering & Medicine:

15.5 cups per day for men
11.5 cups per day for women

These numbers come from water, other beverages and food. Beverages such as milk, juice and herbal teas are composed mostly of water. Even caffeinated drinks — such as coffee and soda — can contribute to your daily water intake. But water is your best bet because it’s calorie-free, inexpensive and readily available.

On average about 20% of our water comes from food. Many common food items are mostly water. According to the American Dietetic Association these foods have very high water content: lettuce, watermelon, broccoli, grapefruit, milk, orange juice, carrot, yogurt, apple.

And how do you know if you’re getting enough water?

You are getting enough water if you’re rarely thirsty and if your urine is colorless or light yellow.

Even though water is a basic element of life, it is possible to consume too much water. Drinking several gallons of water in a short number of hours could cause serious problems. This is usually seen in athletes or soldiers trying to prevent dehydration or patients with Mental Illness such as Schizophrenia. Though most people look out for the signs of dehydration, over-hydration is equally as dangerous. Drinking too much water can result in water intoxication, also known as hyponatremia, causing the inside of cells to flood due to unusually low sodium levels in your bloodstream. In severe cases, water intoxication can lead to devastating health problems such as seizures, coma, and even death.

#DrinkYourWater #Hydrate #BasicElementOfLife

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