Contents:
- Medical Video: How much water should you drink a day?
- Why is it important to drink water every day?
- How much water should you drink every day?
- What affects a person's water needs?
- 1. Activity
- 2. Environment
- 3. Diseases or health conditions
- 4. Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Medical Video: How much water should you drink a day?
As you know, more than 50% of our body consists of water. So, we need to drink enough water. Fulfilled water needs can support your health. How much water do we need? Surely you have often heard the message of drinking 8 glasses of water per day. However, does this amount apply to everyone?
Why is it important to drink water every day?
Did you know that every system in your body needs water to support its work? For example, blood contains fluids to bring nutrients to cells in your body, water is also needed to get rid of toxins produced by vital organs of the body, water also creates a moist environment for the ears, nose and throat. So, the organs in your body work well. In addition, water is also useful for preventing kidney stones and constipation.
If the body lacks water, the cells in the body will be more difficult to do its work. You can also become dehydrated. This can drain your energy and make you tired. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition and involving women proved that a deficiency of 1.36% fluid after exercise can interfere with mood and concentration, can also cause headaches.
How much water should you drink every day?
Apparently, the water needs of each person can vary. Even though you often hear messages about drinking 8 glasses of water a day, don't be too fixated on this. You may need to drink less water or exceed this recommendation. But, in general, drinking 8 glasses of water a day (around 2 liters) can meet the water needs of many people. This message is also easy to remember. So, this message continues to be conveyed to you.
However, you can judge how much water you need. Water requirements vary between individuals. The best is drink every time you feel thirsty, so that your water needs are met.
Thirst is a signal from your body that says your body is in need of water. Get to know each sign of your thirst. If you follow these cues, maybe the water you drink in a day can be less than 8 glasses, or even more. No need to force drink 8 glasses of water if you feel your body is hydrated enough. And you don't need to hold back too if you feel thirsty after drinking 8 glasses of water all day.
Also see the color of your urine to determine whether you have enough water or not. If your water needs have not been met, your urine will be darker in color. That means you have to drink more fluids.
What affects a person's water needs?
There are many factors that influence a person's water needs. These factors are:
1. Activity
If you do a lot of activities, such as exercise that produces a lot of sweat, you need to drink more water. Why? More water that enters your body is used to replace your body fluids that are lost through sweat.
2. Environment
You need more water when the weather is hot or humid because you sweat more now. Also, if you live at a height of 2500 meters, you might also need more water. At this height, you usually urinate more often and breathe faster, so that more body fluids are wasted and you need to replace them.
3. Diseases or health conditions
When you have a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, your body will release more fluid. So, at this time you need more fluids that enter your body. However, some conditions such as heart failure, kidney disease, and liver disease, may make you have to limit your water intake.
4. Pregnancy and breastfeeding
During pregnancy and lactation, women need more water to meet their high fluid needs. There are many changes in the body of pregnant women, so that the fluid needs of pregnant women also increase. Nursing mothers also need more water to produce milk.
