You’ve probably heard over and over again that you need to drink eight glasses of water a day to be healthy — but is that really true? If you feel like you’re drowning yourself trying to meet this so-called health requirement, it’s probably time to give it a rest. It turns out that recommendation has no scientific backing whatsoever. So how much water should you really be drinking?
Water should be your primary beverage — it’s one of the most important cornerstones of health. But you probably don’t need to walk around carrying a gallon jug. The truth is, the amount of water a person needs varies from one individual to the next, depending on factors like age, body mass, diet, climate, daily activity, pregnancy and more.
There’s no proof that eight glasses a day is some sort of magic number. But to put it simply, if you’re not drinking enough water, your body will let you know. If you’re thirsty, have a drink!
Besides thirst, other signs that you may not be drinking enough water include:
You might be wondering if it’s possible to drink too much water. While unlikely, it is possible. Excessive water intake can lead to hyponatremia, a condition characterized by a low sodium level in the blood. It’s usually experienced by endurance athletes who tend to drink excessive amounts of water.
The best way to make sure you’re drinking enough water is to listen to your body. If something’s off, there’s no doubt it will send you a sign to let you know.
Water should be your primary beverage — it’s one of the most important cornerstones of health. But you probably don’t need to walk around carrying a gallon jug. The truth is, the amount of water a person needs varies from one individual to the next, depending on factors like age, body mass, diet, climate, daily activity, pregnancy and more.
There’s no proof that eight glasses a day is some sort of magic number. But to put it simply, if you’re not drinking enough water, your body will let you know. If you’re thirsty, have a drink!
Besides thirst, other signs that you may not be drinking enough water include:
- Fatigue and/or mood swings
- Hunger even though you've recently eaten
- Back or joint aches
- Dull, dry skin and/or pronounced wrinkles
- Infrequent urination; dark, concentrated urine, and/or constipation
You might be wondering if it’s possible to drink too much water. While unlikely, it is possible. Excessive water intake can lead to hyponatremia, a condition characterized by a low sodium level in the blood. It’s usually experienced by endurance athletes who tend to drink excessive amounts of water.
The best way to make sure you’re drinking enough water is to listen to your body. If something’s off, there’s no doubt it will send you a sign to let you know.
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