The average adult human is 60% water. It is in every cell of your body and is an important part of the process of transferring nutrients into your cells and removing toxins. It also helps your skin cells look fuller, reducing the appearance of lines in your skin.
You’ve probably heard that you need to drink 8 large glasses of water a day to stay hydrated and look great all day. However, while this is a good guideline it is only a starting point.
The Quality Of The Water
Before you look further into how much water you should be drinking daily it is a good idea to look at the quality of the water you are drinking. The water that comes out of your tap may not be as clean as you assume it is. Tap water is treated at water treatment centers. The center uses massive filters to remove debris and treats the water with chlorine to kill bacteria and fluoride to strengthen bones and teeth.
However, recent research suggests that these two chemicals can cause an array of negative side effects. These include an increased risk of cancer and they affect the taste and odor of the water.
Good quality water purifiers, like the ones from cleanandclearwater.com.au remove these toxins and allow you to enjoy pure water, which is better for your health.
Assessing Your Water Needs
The simple fact is that everyone is different. The amount of water you need to drink daily is a personal matter, based on your metabolism, activity levels, and your preferences.
That means some people need eight glasses of water a day, others need less and some need more. The only way to assess your water needs is to drink plentifully one day and monitor how you feel. Reduce the amount of water the next day and monitor how you feel again. When you start to feel sluggish you are dehydrated and not drinking enough.
It is not an exact science and is different for everyone.
How To Get the Water Your Body Needs
The majority of the water your body needs comes from drinks. But, approximately 20% of your daily fluid intake comes from food. The key to getting your water intake level right is to consider your lifestyle.
- Amount of Exercise
One of the key deciders is the amount of exercise you do daily. The greater your exercise level the more your body will need water and the greater the volume you should drink.
- Weather
Hot weather makes you sweat more which releases water from your body. The hotter and more humid the weather the more you will need to drink to ensure you feel great and that your body is functioning properly.
- Health
If you are unwell, particularly if you have diarrhea or a fever, then your body will be using more water and you will need to increase your intake in order to ensure you have enough.
In general, if you drink when you feel thirsty you will stay hydrated without having to worry about the specific amount.