Are You Getting Enough Water?

When it comes to healthy eating and drinking, nothing beats a tall glass of water.

Staying hydrated is important because every system in your body needs it to perform at its best. Water flushes toxins out of your body, keeps cells hydrated and provides a sense of satiety or fullness.

In fact, if find yourself hungry, you might want to ask if, instead, you are thirsty.

How much water do you need every day?

So, how much water does your body need to perform at its best? It all depends. If you are a man, it’s recommended that you drink about 13 cups of liquid a day. If you are a woman, that number dips to nine cups.

But there are other factors that play into hydration.

If you exercise or engage in any activity that makes you sweat, you lose a lot of water. Exercise lasting for more than an hour, for example, requires a lot more fluid than if you are engaging in a quick workout. And if you are doing yard work in the hot sun, you probably need more water to perform at your peak.

Your environment also plays a big part in hydration. In the summer, the heat of the outdoors can zap hydration from your body’s stores. In the winter, the dry air associated with heating systems can cause your skin to lose moisture. And where you live makes a difference, too. Higher altitudes may cause you to become dehydrated quicker.

Breastfeeding or pregnant women especially need to make sure they drink enough liquid. That’s because their bodies are working overtime preparing a baby for birth, or feeding that baby for growth.

What liquids to choose?

You have heard the advice “don’t drink your calories.” Calories that come from juices or sodas are considered “empty” and have no real nutritional value.

Beverages such as coffee and teas do have a diuretic affect, which make you urinate more and lose water. These types of beverages should not make up a big portion of what you drink each day.

The best bet for staying hydrated is water. It’s calorie free, and you can get it just about everywhere.

Bottom line: Reach for water with and in between meals and before, during and after exercise. 

How much water do you drink every day?