How much water should you drink each day?

Answer 1

• How much water should you drink each day? A simple question with no easy answers. Studies have produced varying recommendations over the years, but in truth, your water needs depend on many factors, including your health, how active you are and where you live.Though no single formula fits everyone, knowing more about your body's need for fluids will help you estimate how much water to drink each day. Health benefits of water: Water is your body's principal chemical component, making up, on average, 60 percent of your body weight. Every system in your body depends on water. For example, water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues. Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don't have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired.

• Every day you lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water.Several approaches attempt to approximate water needs for the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate. Replacement approach. The average urine output for adults is about 1.5 liters (6.3 cups) a day. You lose close to an additional liter of water a day through breathing, sweating and bowel movements. Food usually accounts for 20 percent of your total fluid intake, so if you consume 2 liters of water or other beverages a day (a little more than 8 cups) along with your normal diet, you will typically replace the lost fluids. Eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Another approach to water intake is the "8 x 8 rule" --- drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (about 1.9 liters). The rule could also be stated, "drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day," as all fluids count toward the daily total. Though the approach isn't supported by scientific evidence, many people use this basic rule as a guideline for how much water and other fluids to drink. Dietary recommendations. The Institute of Medicine advises that men consume roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day and women consume 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day.Even apart from the above approaches, if you drink enough fluid so that you rarely feel thirsty and produce 1.5 liters (6.3 cups) or more of colorless or slightly yellow urine a day, your fluid intake is probably adequate. Factors that influence water needs: You may need to modify your total fluid intake depending on how active you are, the climate you live in, your health status, and if you're pregnant or breast-feeding. Exercise. If you exercise or engage in any activity that makes you sweat, you need to drink extra water to compensate for the fluid loss. An extra 400 to 600 milliliters (about 1.5 to 2.5 cups) of water should suffice for short bouts of exercise, but intense exercise lasting more than an hour (for example, running a marathon) requires more fluid intake. How much additional fluid you need depends on how much you sweat during exercise, the duration of your exercise and the type of activity you're engaged in. During long bouts of intense exercise, it's best to use a sports drink that contains sodium, as this will help replace sodium lost in sweat and reduce the chances of developing hyponatremia, which can be life-threatening. Also, continue to replace fluids after you're finished exercising. Environment. Hot or humid weather can make you sweat and requires additional intake of fluid. Heated indoor air also can cause your skin to lose moisture during wintertime. Further, altitudes greater than 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) may trigger increased urination and more rapid breathing, which use up more of your fluid reserves. Illnesses or health conditions. Signs of illnesses, such as fever, vomiting and diarrhea, cause your body to lose additional fluids. In these cases you should drink more water and may even need oral rehydration solutions, such as Gatorade, Powerade or CeraLyte. Also, you may need increased fluid intake if you develop certain conditions, including bladder infections or urinary tract stones. On the other hand, some conditions such as heart failure and some types of kidney, liver and adrenal diseases may impair excretion of water and even require that you limit your fluid intake. Pregnancy or breast-feeding. Women who are expecting or breast-feeding need additional fluids to stay hydrated. Large amounts of fluid are used especially when nursing. The Institute of Medicine recommends that pregnant women drink 2.3 liters (about 10 cups) of fluids daily and women who breast-feed consume 3.1 liters (about 13 cups) of fluids a day.

• Although it's a great idea to keep water within reach at all times, you don't need to rely only on what you drink to satisfy your fluid needs. What you eat also provides a significant portion of your fluid needs. On average, food provides about 20 percent of total water intake, while the remaining 80 percent comes from water and beverages of all kinds. For example: many fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon and tomatoes, are 90 percent to 100 percent water by weight. Beverages such as milk and juice also are composed mostly of water. Even beer, wine and caffeinated beverages --- such as coffee, tea or soda --- can contribute, but these should not be a major portion of your daily total fluid intake. Water is one of your best bets because it's calorie-free, inexpensive and readily available.

• It's generally not a good idea to use thirst alone as a guide for when to drink. By the time you become thirsty, it's possible to already be slightly dehydrated. Further, be aware that as you get older your body is less able to sense dehydration and send your brain signals of thirst. Excessive thirst and increased urination can be signs of a more serious medical condition. Talk to your doctor if you experience either.To ward off dehydration and make sure your body has the fluids it needs, make water your beverage of choice. Nearly every healthy adult can consider the following: Drink a glass of water with each meal and between each meal. Hydrate before, during and after exercise. Substitute sparkling water for alcoholic drinks at social gatherings. If you drink water from a bottle, thoroughly clean or replace the bottle often.Though uncommon, it is possible to drink too much water. When your kidneys are unable to excrete the excess water, the electrolyte (mineral) content of the blood is diluted, resulting in low sodium levels in the blood, a condition called hyponatremia. Endurance athletes, such as marathon runners, who drink large amounts of water are at higher risk of hyponatremia. In general, though, drinking too much water is rare in healthy adults who consume an average American diet. If you're concerned about your fluid intake, check with your doctor or a registered dietitian. He or she can help you determine the amount of water that's best for you.

Answer 2

The human body is 75% water. We need water for energy, detoxification, fighting dehydration and overall well being. Every system in your body depends on water. For example, water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues.

The RDA is 2 liters of water per day, but this includes the water in the food that you eat. The water in food is significant: for instance, apples are 85% water.

Opinions from contributors include drinking 2 to 3 litres (33.8 ounces per litre) a day, or 8 to 12 glasses of water a day, depending on your size, physical activity, and overall health. It also can increase in hot, dry climates.

A good rule is to divide your weight (in pounds) by two to determine your water needs (in ounces per day). For example, if you weigh 150 pounds you should consume at least 75 ounces of water per day.

An easy way to know if you're drinking enough is to look at your urine. Urine should be a pale light yellow color. If the color is dark yellow the odds are you're dehydrated and should drink more.

You can calculate your specific water needs by clicking on the Related Link.

Answer 3

"you might be able to drink 1 or 2 but this one lady drank 3 and she died"

In the event you are dumb enough to try and drink 3 liters all at once or in a row yes you would likely get water poisoning and possibly die for you over did it! You're body is supposed to tell you you are too full and thus need to pace out the amount you drink. Many people freak out when preggo or in military training and think that if they haven't drank the amount they are supposed to have during the day. They need to make up for it all at once... This is a STUPID idea for you physically can not process that much water all at once you should pace out 1 glass of water every hour or 2 no more then 3-4 cups/glasses with in an hour...

and try to have 12 cups every day you can survive with on only 3 cups a day you will be very tired and probably have headaches but you won't die, you can live up to 3 days with out water but it depends on the temperature in a desert only about a day... but in a cold climet about 3 days and in snow around 2-3 days. though you could eat the snow... the goal is to drink 12 cups every day. and if preggo about 16 cups total throughout the day if you can manage to keep it down.

Answer 4

About 2 litres (6 to 8 glasses) is a good minimum guideline; this increases depending on the climate temperatures, your body size, and how active you are.

64 fluid ounces of water is generally accepted as the recommended daily intake for an adult, but this includes allthe water you consume in liquid and food form. So your morning coffee, the milk in your cereal, the water contained in the apple you may have eaten, the water contained in the chicken dinner you may eat tonight, etc. all counts toward your intake.

Answer 5

Generally, you should drink eight (8), eight (8) fluid ounce glasses of water each day, which equals 64 fluid ounces per day. A fluid ounce is 1/128 of a gallon. Taking into consideration an average 30 day month, you should drink 15 gallons per month.

Answer 6

Multiply your weight in pounds by .66 than divide that number by 8.

This gives you the actual number of 8oz. glasses you should consume daily.

Example:

125lbs. x .66= 82.5

82.5 divide /8= 10.31 glasses per day

I would suggest an average of about 8 glasses everyday, enough that your urine is clear. In countries where there is less humidity 10 glasses might not be required but in hot and humid countries 10 glasses becomes essential to prevent dehydration. Daily water consumption is necessary for hydration. On average, an individual should consume between 6-8 glasses of water daily. A great way to incorporate these regime is to carry water in tow to ensure that you are hydrated throughout the day.

Answer 7

health things say you should drink eight cups of water every day, but you should actually drink until you are satisfied. Only drink when you are thirsty.

You will frequently read that you should drink 8 cups per day. This is a myth that started with a misunderstanding of IV fluid management in hospitals.

You will also hear that you should drink until your urine is clear. That is also a myth.

Whether you should wait until you are thirsty depends on the situation.

A normal healthy person in a normal environment can drink, as the above poster suggests, when thirsty and until satisfied and be fine. It is true that you are a little dehydrated before you get thirsty so if you are in a situation where you are carefully guarding against dehydration (like working for a prolonged period in the hot sun) then trying to drink enough to avoid thirst is a good idea.

Answer 8

One gallon per day should be sufficient, but if you exert a lot of energy in an arid environment, that number may need to be increased to three. When consuming that much water in a given day, it is wise to take supplemental vitamins.

Answer 9

7 liters per day.