Why Should I Drink More Water?
Water is one of the main components that make up the body. Our hair, skin, blood, tissues, eyes, brain, and joints all contain water. Adequate amounts of liquid are necessary to keep the body functioning properly. So you may be wondering: how much water should I be drinking? Or, why should I drink more water?
Water works in several ways throughout the entire body. Water can help to regulate body temperature, help eliminate waste from the body through urine and fecal matter, cushion joints, keep muscles flexible, carry and dissolve nutrients from food for use by the body, and provide cells with oxygen. Water is naturally free of fat and calories, and is absorbed into the body from the stomach and intestines. What many people do not realize is that the body can expel water in many ways. In addition to urine and fecal matter, water is also eliminated through vomit and sweat. It is not uncommon for people to lose a great deal of water and to become dehydrated without even realizing it while sweating. This tends to happen especially in hot, or humid weather conditions.
It is necessary to ensure that the body ingests the same amount of water that being expelled each day to prevent dehydration. Infants, the elderly, people who are ill and are vomiting or have diarrhea, and individuals who are on certain medications are at higher risk for dehydration and should take extra care to make sure adequate amounts of water is consumed each day. People who live in arid conditions, humid conditions, and those who live in high altitude climates must also monitor their water consumption. When exercising or traveling, water should be sipped to maintain healthy hydration levels.
So how much water should you be drinking each day? Age, overall health, gender, and medical conditions all play a role in determining the proper amount of fluid that should be consumed. Consumption levels may also change depending on the time of the year (due to weather conditions), and varying activity levels. Elderly people tend to have a decreased sense of thirst and should sip water throughout the day. A good general rule of thumb for people of all ages is to drink between six and eight, eight ounce glasses of water or fluid per day. Another way to calculate how much fluid should be consumed is to take your total body weight, and divide it by half. That number should equal the total fluid ounces ingested everyday.
It is important to note that not all fluids hydrate equally. Sodas, beverages that contain caffeine, and alcohol do not hydrate the same way water does. Beverages that contain caffeine or alcohol can cause the body to actually lose water. Many solid foods also contain water, so eating a well balanced diet further helps to regulate water levels.
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