Are You Drinking Enough Water?

Staying well-hydrated is essential for staying healthy. Without proper hydration, your body will start feeling a slew of negative effects. Most of us know that drinking water is important, but the question is, how much water intake is enough water intake? While it depends on a variety of factors, there are some general guidelines you can follow to stay properly hydrated.

What Happens When You Don’t Drink Enough Water?

When you don’t drink enough water, there can be more serious consequences than just feeling thirsty. Water is necessary for your body to function. After all, the average human body is 50-65% water!

Here are some things you may experience if you’re not getting enough water:

• Dry mouth
• Low energy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Dry or shriveled skin
• Muscle cramps
• Constipation
• Increased risk of kidney stones
• Difficulty regulating body temperature

Of course, this isn’t all. Humans cannot go without water for more than a couple of days. Therefore, by getting enough water, you’re making sure your body has what it needs to operate properly.

How Much Water Should You Be Drinking?

According to a 2005 study published in Nutrition Reviews, the adequate average daily water intake is 3.7 liters for adult men and 2.7 liters for adult women. This water intake amount includes any water being ingesting through both beverages and food.

About 80 percent percent of your fluid intake comes from drinks, while 20 percent comes from food. This means that on average, adult men should drink around 2.96 liters or 12.5 cups of water a day and adult women should drink around 2.16 liters or 9 cups of water a day.

Beyond Averages: Recommended Water Intake Calculation

The above numbers are all but general averages. While helpful as a general guideline, a calculation factoring in your age, height, weight, and activity level can get you a more personalized recommendation. E.g. your water intake requirement will not be the same for a person weighting at a hundred pounds and someone who weighs two hundred pounds. Likewise, a more personalized recommended water intake calculation formula takes into account how physically active you typically are.

One way to easily estimate a more personalized water intake recommendation is to use a daily water intake calculator. Our tool uses the latest scientific research on the topic of water intake calculation. After plugging in your information, you’ll receive a measurement for your recommended water intake per day, as well as how much of that should be from fluids.

Keep in mind that there are certain situations where you should drink more water. If you are exercising or sending time in hot weather, you’ll need to drink more water to offset the fluids you’re losing through sweat. If you are sick with a fever or are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, you’ll also need to drink more water to replace that fluid loss.

However fancy water intake calculations may be, they are all rough guides rather than firm recommendation. It is typically recommended to drink as much water and beverages as you feel like drinking, no more and no less. In any case, if you have any suspicion regarding the adequacy of your daily liquids intake consult your physician or another qualified specialist.

Smart Tips for Increasing Your Water Intake

It’s normal for people to forget about drinking enough water throughout the day. One way to make sure you stay hydrated is to carry a water bottle around with you. Put it in your bag when you’re running errands, have it on your desk at work, and keep it on your bedside table. Having a water bottle handy makes it easier to remember to keep drinking throughout the day.

There are even some water bottles out there now that have water intake measurements marked on the side to show how much water you should drink by a certain time of day. Other modern water bottles can be synced to an app in order to track your water consumption in a 24-hour period. For a cheap do-it-yourself option, use a sharpie to draw your own reminder times on the side of your water bottle.

Many people forget that drinking isn’t the only way you can intake water. A lot of fruits and vegetables are full of water! Watermelon, spinach, strawberries, cantaloupe, cauliflower, celery, and cucumber all have high water content. If you find it difficult to drink the recommended amount of water each day, you can increase your water intake by incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet.

The Bottom Line

Making sure you drink enough water is essential to your wellness. While we all need water, some of us can get by by drinking less than others, though some of us will need more. GIGACalculator can help you make that determination. Then, by following your recommended daily water intake, you can stay hydrated and healthy.