How Much Water Should You Be Drinking?

We all know water consumption is important yet for some reason a lot of us don’t drink the required amount per day. Did you know that the body is roughly 60% water? Crazy, right! You are also constantly losing water from urine and sweat, therefore to prevent dehydrating occurring you need to drink an adequate amount of water.

There are numerous opinions on how much water you should drink every day. Health authorities commonly suggest drinking 8 glasses, which is the equivalent to 2 liters. Some individuals say you need to constantly sip on water throughout the day, even when you are not thirsty. Ultimately, like most things, the amount of water you need will depend on you.

We looked into an article that explored studies on water intake to separate fact from fiction and to match your water intake to your individual needs.

One study in women showed that mild dehydration after exercise impaired mood and concentration and increased the frequency of headaches. Another study showed that mild dehydration caused from exercise or heat can harm many aspects of brain function. A third study shows that mild dehydration can also negatively affect physical performance, leading to reduced endurance.

There have also been many claims that increasing your water consumption may reduce body weight by increasing your metabolism and reducing your appetite. According to studies drinking 500ml of water can temporarily boost your metabolism, there have also been additional studies that state drinking water half an hour before meals can reduce the number of calories you end up consuming.

So as we are all aware, maintaining water balance is essential for survival. Because of this our body has a way of regulating when and how much water we drink. Once your total water content goes below a certain level, your thirst will kick in.  Listen to your thirsty cues! Our body works incredibly hard to ensure homeostasis so when you get a cue, follow it.

When it comes to your water consumption stick to the 8 glasses rule but also experiment and see what works for you! Basically when your thirsty drink, when you’re not thirsty anymore, stop, when you are exercising or experiencing high heat make sure to drink more water to compensate for the loss of fluids.

If you’re like me and struggle to boost your water consumption, try alternatives to make water more enjoyable. Try infusing your water with fresh fruit for a natural flavor; you can even use fresh mint to give it a little kick! If water just isn’t for you, make the effort to set reminders throughout the day to ensure you are getting those glasses in.