You may have heard that you should be drinking at least eight ounces of water eight times per day, or 64 ounces total. While it is vital to stay hydrated, it is a common misconception that all hydration must come from consuming water. The total amount of liquids you consume can come from the fruits and vegetables you eat, along with other low-calorie liquids such as carbonated water, broths, and fat-free milk. In most diets, 20% of your water will come from food and 80% will come from beverages. So how much of these beverages do you really need to drink in a day to stay healthy? Read on as we break down the health benefits of H2O.
What Quantity is Right for Me?
This number actually depends on a few factors including your age, gender and activity level, but the Institute of Medicine advises that women drink about 88 ounces per day and men drink about 125 ounces per day. When you exercise or spend time outdoors in hot or humid weather, you should increase this to eight ounces every 15 minutes until you stop exercising or go inside. If you are exercising strenuously for more than an hour, you may want to replenish your electrolytes too and have a sports drink or salty snack like nuts. This prevents your body from dehydrating as you exhaust more of your internal water reserves.
Why is Water so Important?
Because you lose water throughout the day as your body sweats, metabolizes, breathes, and digests, it is important to replenish your water intake. Water makes up about 60% of your body, and it is the fuel required to ensure your body runs like a well-oiled machine. It is vital to helping you digest food and remove waste, regenerate cells, lubricate joints , and even keep your body at a normal temperature. To understand just how crucial water is to the human body, consider this – you can survive for as long as two months without food, but your vital organs will begin to shut down in a matter of days without water.
What is Water Intoxication?
Water intoxication occurs most frequently when there is a high quantity of water intake without enough electrolytes. Your kidneys can only convert so much water and salt into urine at a time, so the remaining water backs up. This causes the amount of salt and other electrolytes in your body to become diluted, which can lead to serious health concerns and even death in rare cases. While this most often affects professional athletes, those suffering from certain health conditions may be more susceptible to water intoxication. These include congestive heart failure, liver disease, kidney problems, uncontrolled diabetes, and more. If you take medications for schizophrenia, diuretics, antipsychotics, or certain illegal drugs, these can cause your body to feel falsely thirsty and also lead to water intoxication. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headache, and confusion or disorientation. To prevent this condition, be sure to drink water with added electrolytes.
One of the easiest and least expensive ways to improve your overall health is by consuming the correct amount of water for your age, gender, and stature. With these tips, you can lower your risk of certain health concerns over time and potentially lower your insurance premium, too. If you feel it is time to take a closer look at your health insurance, speak with your local agent today.