You may have heard that everyone should drink eight glasses of water a day. Although that advice is reasonable, it does not consider everyone’s individual needs, like their health, activity level, environment and other factors.
Up to 60% of our bodies are made of water. We lose water constantly through our skin, urine, waste and sweat – even when we breathe. Water intake has many benefits, including:
If you don’t drink enough water, you can become dehydrated, which can lead to impaired kidney function, unbalanced electrolytes and other complications.
About 20% of our daily fluid intake comes from the food we eat and the rest from the liquids we drink.
The amount of water intake you need depends on the sex you were assigned at birth. According to the U.S. National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, men should drink 3.7 liters (about 16 cups) and women 2.7 liters (about 11 cups) of fluid per day. You need to drink even more water if you exercise, sweat or have an illness (diarrhea, vomiting, fever).
Although rare, it is possible to drink too much water. An excess of water can be lethal, especially to those with heart disease or electrolyte abnormality. The best bet is to clear with your physician what level of water intake is most appropriate for your body and activity level.
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uhc@unl.edu
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