Skip to main content

How Much Should I Drink?


Like most things in medicine, the amount of liquid you should drink seems to be constantly changing. So just how much do you need to drink on a daily basis for optimal health? You're about to find out that the scientific world has determined about your drinking needs. So turn on the tap and get ready to find out how full you should fill your glass.

Only a few years ago, the medical community had a nice, one-size-fits-all answer to the liquid question. According to the experts, adults needed about eight glasses of water each day. This equaled out to approximately 64 ounces of water. While this acted as a good goal for most adults, it was a goal that was rarely met due to people simply being too busy to remember to down their daily regimen of water.
Today, the old answer is no longer the only answer. Granted, it is still an accepted answer that helps many people remember to keep their lips to a glass of water, but researchers spent plenty of time studying just how much water a person needs and realized there may be other ways to go about liquid intake.
Many folks have given up on drinking eight glasses a day. Instead, they’ve decided to go with another popular method for determining fluid intake: replacing the fluids lost during the course of a day. How much liquid to you shed on a daily basis? Between bathroom breaks, sweating, and sweating, you lose about 10 cups of water a day. Sweat more than the average person or been suffering with a bout of diarrhea? Then you’ll need to add some cups to the total.
To make sure your body has enough liquid, the replacement method requires you to drink the amount that you lose minus the 20 percent of your needed fluids you get through the foods you eat. And while water is typically the preferred liquid, you’ll want to count tea, sodas, and juice, which all contain water.
While science has deemed that you should drink a certain amount of water based on the amount of water that leaves your body on a daily basis, this equation may not provide a final answer to how much water you should drink. Because while this is a great way for otherwise health individuals to tally up their water needs, people with pre-existing conditions may have different liquid needs.
If you have diabetes, kidney diseases, or any other chronic condition that you must deal with on a daily basis, your water requirement may be more or less than you think. To find out exactly how much water you should sip on each day, you’ll have to head to your doctor.
Want to figure out if you’re drinking enough water each day? Here are a few questions that will help you determine if you need to up your liquid intake or if you’re drinking just enough.
  • Are you thirsty often?
  • Is your urine usually dark yellow?
  • Do you experience dry mouth often?
  • Are you prone to headaches for no known cause?
  • Do you feel lightheaded occasionally?
  • Do you rarely urinate?
  • Are you frequently constipated?
You can also contact a fitness professional like the ones you'll find at Muscle Mechanics.


Until next time - Live Life Well,

John Aaron Villarreal
johnaaron-massage.com
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What To Do When You’re Chronically Stressed

Of all the modern-day ailments that seem to affect us, none is more pervasive than stress. Everywhere you turn, there are factors lurking to redirect you from your peaceful pursuit of happiness and lock you in the clutches of “stress.” What exactly is stress—and what more insidious effects does it cause? The dictionary defines stress as “great pressure or force; strain.” In today’s world, we think of stress as the result of too much pressure laid upon us by life, causing mental worry or anguish. This, in turn, manifests itself in tight neck and shoulders, headaches, nervous stomach, etc. But these physical and mental conditions are really only the beginning. Studies show that stressful situations can develop into more threatening health conditions. For instance: A sudden or unexpected stressor can activate your adrenal glands, which sends adrenaline and other hormones into your bloodstream. This brings about an increase in your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and blood f
Post a Comment
Read more

Simple Steps to Spring Forward Toward Fitness

Daylight savings time is a sure reminder that spring is just around the corner and there WILL eventually be an end to the winter weather. And while much of the country still dealing with bitter cold, here in Houston, we’re definitely ready for the warmer days. In fact, this is the time of year when you’ll find many of us increasing our outdoor activities and all too often push ourselves a little too hard. Unfortunately, what can result is often a few days of painful recovery time. So, I've got a short list of suggestions to consider as you pursue your favorite warm-weather pastimes this season: First, increase your activity level gradually — Pay attention to your body’s signals so you can avoid serious injury and don’t have to pay the painful price of overindulgence. Start slowly and do a little more each day and you’ll be up to speed in no time. Warm up — Plunging into activity before you get your body warmed and ready is inviting potential trouble. Avoid possible sprains,
Post a Comment
Read more

The Benefits of Regular Massage Sessions

Once people discover the many joys and benefits of massage, a common question arises—“How often should I schedule my massage sessions?” Of course, there is no set answer, but studies indicate that massage at regular intervals is most beneficial to your overall health. In a Newsweek article entitled “The Magic of Touch,” the advantages of frequent massage are considered. The following excerpts help to answer the question, “How often?” “A weekly massage may seem an indulgence, but new research suggests it can have major health benefits... “Since instituting a program of massage, job-specific exercises and ergonomics in 1990, the Virginia-based company [Wampler Foods] has cut repetitive-stress injuries by 75 percent... “From assembly lines to corporate headquarters, Americans are discovering the magic of massage. At Boeing and Reebok, headaches, back strain and fatigue have all fallen since the companies started bringing in massage therapists... Doctors have started prescrib
Post a Comment
Read more