Water is essential to life.
According to the USGS, about 60% of the adult human body is made up of water. Because of this fact, it is vital to drink plenty of water.
We lose water every day through sweat, urine, glands, and our daily activities. It is important to constantly replenish our water levels to stay hydrated. Soft drinks and coffee do not help with hydration. In fact, coffee and soft drinks are high in caffeine, which acts as a diuretic and can dehydrate you.
The key is to drink good water such as filtered water.
So how much water do you need per day? A common guideline suggests that 8 cups a day, but this may be too much, or not enough for some. Water requirements can vary based on weather and your activity level for the day.
The human body has a natural mechanism that lets you know when you need to replenish your water levels: thirst.
The feeling of thirst occurs when the body loses between 1-2 percent of its total water content. Using thirst as your guide is the best way to ensure that you are getting the amount of water that you need daily.
However, by the time you feel thirsty, you may already be in the early stages of dehydration. Media outlet CBS reports that up to 75 percent of Americans are functioning in a state of chronic dehydration.
It is important to learn some of the more subtle signs that you need water:
• 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
“Besides listening to your thirst, a good rule of thumb is to look at the color of your urine. You should be drinking enough water to turn your urine a light-colored yellow,” says Dr. Joseph Mercola, a leading physician and health expert.
Dark colored urine is usually a sign that the kidneys are withholding fluids in order to maintain bodily functions, such as detoxification. When this occurs, your urine may be more concentrated and darker in color. You may also urinate less frequently.
“Since your thirst mechanism tends to become less efficient with age, older adults need to pay more careful attention to the color of their urine to ensure adequate water intake,” Mercola explains.
Frequency of uration is also a good gauge for proper water intake. A healthy, hydrated person urinates on average of about 7-8 times a day. If you haven’t urinated in several hours, you may be dehydrated.
Here are some often-overlooked symptoms of chronic dehydration:
• Digestive disturbances such as heartburn and constipation
• Confusion and/or anxiety
• Urinary tract infections
• Premature aging
• High cholesterol
Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
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REFERENCES:
1. “How Do You Know If You’re Drinking Enough Water?” Mercola.com. Mercola.com, 15 Dec. 2014. Web. 20 Dec. 2014.
2. “The Water in You.” USGS. USGS, n.d. Web. 19 Dec. 2014.
3. “Chronic Dehydration More Common Than You Think.” CBS Miami. CBS Miami, 2 July 2013. Web. 20 Dec. 2014.
4. “How Do You Know If You’re Drinking Enough Water?” Health Nut News. Health Nut News, 16 Dec. 2014. Web. 20 Dec. 2014.
