Water is essential to the human body.
While the body can last up to six weeks without food, it can last only one week without water. Water regulates body temperature, protects and cushions vital organs, removes waste, and converts food into energy, making it a crucial element of proper body functioning.
A general rule is to drink at least eight glasses of water a day (1 glass
= 8 ounces; 8 glasses = 64 ounces), depending on your activity level. And don't wait until you are thirsty: Thirst is a sign of
dehydration, so if you feel thirsty, your body is
already slightly dehydrated.
The International Bottled Water Association has created a hydration calculator to assess if you are drinking enough water to stay healthy.
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What is hydration, and why is it important to my health?
Hydration is the replacement of body fluids lost through daily sweating, exhaling and elimination. Adequate hydration, along with regular exercise, is part of a healthy lifestyle and is important to maintaining good health. Here are a few reasons why water is vital to proper hydration:
- The brain is 75% water
- Water carries nutrients & oxygen to all body cells
- Muscles are 70-75% water
- Helps convert food into energy
- Protects and cushions vital organs & joints
- Regulates body temperature
- Moistens oxygen for breathing
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How much water should I drink every day?
The answer depends on your body weight and activity level. The
minimum recommended daily requirement for water intake is 64 oz. per person,
per day. The chart below illustrates minimum daily requirements for
water based on individual activity levels.
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What about when it's cold? Do I need
to drink as much water?
Absolutely. You may not feel as thirsty as you do when it's hot, but
you lose water through perspiration. Also, you lose
fluids through exhaled air. When cold, dry air is inhaled, it is warmed
and moistened in the lungs and exhaled as warm, humid air. This process
makes intense demands on the body's water supply. To prevent excessive
fluid loss and dehydration in the winter, drink plenty of water.
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Can I tell how much water my body needs by how much I sweat?
No. Sweat is not an accurate indicator of dehydration as the amount a
person sweats varies depending on their environment,
clothing, temperature, and activity level. To be safe, make sure you follow these guidelines (see chart
below) on how much water to drink when exercising.
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