Drink Water but How Much?
Water constitutes a major part (~60%)of our bodies. It means that we should drink sufficient water to keep our metabolism running smoothly. Water is essential because:
🌱 Water flushes out waste products from our body
🌱 Water carries nutrients across the body.
🌱 It keeps us hydrated and maintains the right temperature of the body.
One thing I’ve noticed that some people drink a lot of water while others are satisfied with a much lesser amount. Is there any parameter to measure the amount of water we should drink? Are we doing harm to our body by drinking less/more water? And, most importantly, is this harm temporary or permanent?
I’m sure you are also searching for the right answer. This article is about our water intake.
Health experts recommend at least 8 glasses (~250 ml each) of water to be consumed every day. The amount is subject to vary according to age, weight, type of work one does and health condition. So it’s important to know how much water our body needs.
Water Intake according to age:
🌱 Men require more water than women. An average man should drink 3 litres of water daily and an average woman should drink 2.2 litres.
🌱 Children in the age group 9-13 need 2.5 litres of water every day.
🌱 The requirement of infants is as low as 1.3 litres.
🌱 Water intake varies from person to person though they might be classified in any one of the above categories.
Now, what affects the thirst of the people of the same age and gender? Let’s find out!:)
🌱 Health:
Health condition of an individual decides the amount of water he should drink. A person suffering from fever, diarrhea, vomiting needs more water or ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) to replenish water in the body.
A woman who breast-feeds her child needs more water than an average woman.
🌱 Occupation:
A laborer who works in the sun needs more water than the person who works on a computer in an air-conditioned room.
🌱 Season/Environment:
We need more water in the summer/hot environment because a lot of body water is lost due to sweating.
Are other fluids contributing to our water need?
Our body gets fluids not only from water but also from tea/coffee/milk and foods rich in water. Fluid balance of the body can be maintained by having fluid-rich foods. It’s a myth that caffeinated drinks don’t contribute to the hydration.
Conclusion:
We see that water intake is different for different people. You should not worry if you’re drinking more or less than your friend:)
🌱 There need not be any hard and fast rule about how much water should be taken. Drink water when you’re thirsty. Follow your thirst.
🌱 Lack of water in the body can cause constipation, low energy level and even brain dysfunction.
🌱 Look for the following signs of dehydration and replenish your body with sufficient water.
– Constipation
– Less peeing
– Dry Lips
– Sticky mouth
– Dizziness
– Rough skin
🌱 Water is life. Drink sufficient but do not waste it:)
