Should i drink

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. So how much fluid does the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate need?

The U. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is:. These recommendations cover fluids from water, other beverages and food. You've probably heard the advice to drink eight glasses of water a day. That's easy to remember, and it's a reasonable goal. 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. You don't need to rely only on water to meet your fluid needs. What you eat also provides a significant portion. In addition, 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 go easy on sugar-sweetened drinks. Regular soda, energy or sports drinks, and other sweet drinks usually contain a lot of added sugar, which may provide more calories than needed. Your doctor or dietitian can help you determine the amount of water that's right for you every day. To prevent dehydration and make sure your body has the fluids it needs, make water your beverage of choice.

It's a good idea to drink a glass of water:. Drinking too much water is rarely a problem for healthy, well-nourished adults. Athletes occasionally may drink too much water in an attempt to prevent dehydration during long or intense exercise. When you drink too much water, your kidneys can't get rid of the excess water. The sodium content of your blood becomes diluted. This is called hyponatremia and it can be life-threatening.

There is a problem with information submitted for this request. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. You may have heard that you should aim to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. How much you should actually drink is more individualized than you might think.

Based on this data, they published recommendations that they called adequate intakes AIs in a study. AIs are based on the median water intake from U. A wide range of intakes is typical in a population. For instance, physically active people or those who live in hotter environments will require a higher intake of water. Your body weight is made up of 60 percent water.

Every system in your body needs water to function. The current IOM recommendation for people ages 19 and older is around ounces for men and 95 ounces for women. This refers to your overall fluid intake per day, including anything you eat or drink that contains water, like fruits or vegetables.

The IOM recommends that pregnant women of all ages should aim to get 80 ounces, or 10 cups of water, each day. Water is important for most processes your body goes through in a day.

When you drink water, you replenish your stores. Drinking enough water can also help you look your best. For example, a research review looked at the ways that water can keep your skin looking healthy. Going running? Drink several glasses of water before you start.

Thirst is actually a sign of dehydration, so if you feel thirsty, you have some catching up to do! Also, monitor your urine. If you are adequately hydrated, you should be urinating about once every two to four hours, and your urine should be colorless or a very pale yellow the color of hay or lighter.

Headaches and dizziness are a late sign of dehydration. If you start experiencing those, you really need to up the water intake, and quickly. Dehydration can turn a fun summer activity into an unpleasant experience at best, or a trip to the emergency room at worst. Bring water bottles with you, and keep yourself and your family hydrated during your summer fun! About the author : Jennifer is a Clinic Supervisor for Mizzou Therapy Services Rangeline location and a board-certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hoffman HS, et al. Management of moderate and severe alcohol withdrawal syndromes. Chang G.

Alcohol intake and pregnancy. Kunzmann AT, et al. The association of lifetime alcohol use with mortality and cancer risk in older adults: A cohort study. PLOS Medicine. Vos T, et al. Alcohol use and burden for countries and territories, — A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study The Lancet. Alcohol and cancer risk. National Cancer Institute.

Wilkinson JM expert opinion. Mayo Clinic. Koch M, et al. Alcohol consumption and risk of dementia and cognitive decline among older adults with or without mild cognitive impairment. See also MIND diet may cut Alzheimer's risk 3 diet changes women over 50 should make right now 3 key changes in the new Nutrition Facts label Healthy-eating habits Reduce sugar in your diet Acai berries Added sugar Alkaline water Are energy drinks bull?

Artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutes Autism spectrum disorder and digestive symptoms Bad food habits at work? Get back on track in 5 steps Best oil for cooking? Dietary guidelines Boost your calcium levels without dairy? Yes you can! Breast-feeding nutrition: Tips for moms Caffeine: How much is too much? Is caffeine dehydrating?

Calorie calculator The role of diet and exercise in preventing Alzheimer's disease Can whole-grain foods lower blood pressure? Carbohydrates Chart of high-fiber foods Cholesterol: Top foods to improve your numbers Coconut water: Is it super hydrating?