How much water do we actually need to drink in a day?

More than half of our bodies are made up of water, no wonder the simple thirst-quenching beverage is a necessity and should be a basic human right. That said, so many of us with access to clean water fail to intake an amount that would truly benefit our bodies. A glass of water a day would not suffice, and with water available to us we should be ensuring that we fuel ourselves frequently with the life-giving liquid day in and day out. But, how much water do we actually need to drink in a day? You’ve probably heard all sorts of theories over the years but you haven’t yet found peace of mind in an answer. Well, we are here to answer some of your key concerns and help you make your own informed decision regarding how much water to consume each day.

What do the studies suggest?

The first step in determining how much water we need each day is sifting through the research that has already been done and finding an accurate statistic based on reputable study results. According to authoritative scientific websites, these recommendations seem to be the consensus among professionals in the field:

11.5 cups (2.7 liters) a day for women
15.5 cups (3.7 liters) a day for men

This total includes water that one would consume through food, beverages, and other means during the day rather than simply glasses of water. But are these suggestions enough to give us each a personalized water intake recommendation? The answer is no as your water intake should reflect on how much water you may potentially lose each day. Below are some factors that may affect this recommendation for you, and you should adjust your intake accordingly while sticking to the above research as a guideline.

Climate: those living in hot areas will perspire more, thus requiring more liquids to replenish their bodies.

Diet: food intake will have a major impact on your required water intake as consuming unhealthy beverages such as coffee may lead to more frequent urination, requiring you to replenish your body with more healthy liquids. If you have plenty of hydrating foods in your diet, such as fruits and vegetables, then you will consume a decent amount of the water recommendation just through eating.

Environment: beyond your local climate, those who spend more time in the sun should consume more water as they perspire and are drained by the heat.

Activeness: people partaking in regular fitness programs should consume more water than usual as the body needs plenty of nutrients and minerals to perform exercises at an optimal level.
Health: if you are suffering from illness and vomiting as a result then you would need to replace your body with healthy fluids and consume more water in the day. People who have certain health conditions such as diabetes are also urged to drink more water in the day.

The benefits of water

You do not need us to tell you that drinking water is essential but we will outline several benefits of consuming appropriate quantities of water each day.

Water positively affects energy levels and promotes improved brain function.
Consumption of water boosts electrolyte levels.
Healthy consumption of water can combat certain internal bodily issues.

The benefits of water do not end here and all it takes is a few glasses a day to see the results for yourself in no time!