If you take a second to look, you’ll see water is all around us. It covers the majority of our planet. It makes up most of who we are. It’s funny because even most of the things we think are solid are actually fluid for the most part.
We all know drinking water is healthy. It helps improve our skin and improves our ability to regulate body temperature. It gives us more energy and helps with detoxification. The list of benefits just keep going.
So the question isn’t really if we need water (we do). That’s a fact.
The question is how much water should you drink?
The answer to this question really depends on a number of factors. Unless you live under a rock, you probably know the 8 by 8 rule – drink eight (8 ounce) glasses of water every single day. But where did these guidelines come from?
The answer isn’t so cut and dry. The one thing to realize is that many of these health claims you read about for water are actually funded by big bottle water companies. It’s a little biased to say the least.
The truth is, drinking more water than your body can handle may have negative effects on your health. It can lead to things such as hyponatremia when excess water consumption causes sodium levels in the blood stream to become diluted. Kind of dangerious.
It’s important to also look at the food you’re eating. A lot of the food you think is solid actually contains high levels of fluid which need to be added to your total consumption.
So how much water should you drink a day then?
Well, it really depends. Things like the temperature outside or your activity levels play a role. It’s never the same. Your water requirements are constantly changing.
So, looking back, the 8 by 8 recommendations are a good reference, but not the final word; instead, use your thirst as a guide. If you’re thirsty, drink. If you’re not, don’t.
Let your thirst be your guide.