How Much Water Do You Really Need?
Water occupies approximately sixty percent of the human body, and is necessary to transport nutrients to cells, expel bacteria from the body, prevent dehydration, and replace fluids lost through sweat and urine, and the body’s need for fluids varies from person to person according to various external and internal factors such as age, weight, the surrounding environment, and many other factors, as we always hear that we should drink eight glasses of water per day; to maintain health and prevent various diseases. We often hear that we should drink eight glasses of water per day to maintain health and protect the body from various diseases, but the rule of drinking eight glasses is not correct, as the Harvard Health Journal published an article confirming that this saying is not based on scientific studies or research.
Water helps alleviate a range of health issues and is crucial for overall well-being. It aids in preventing kidney stones by diluting urine and helping to flush out minerals and salts that could form stones. Regular hydration also helps to alleviate constipation by promoting healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. Additionally, water moisturizes the skin from the inside out, reducing dryness and improving elasticity, which can help in reducing the appearance of acne and maintaining a clear complexion.
Most importantly, studies have shown that drinking water in moderate amounts can significantly reduce the risk of several types of cancer, including bladder, colon, and rectal cancer. Proper hydration helps maintain the health of the digestive tract and supports the body’s ability to detoxify.
Research has also confirmed that a lack of fluids impacts the body’s vital functions and the brain, leading to decreased cognitive performance, impaired concentration, and reduced energy levels. Staying well-hydrated is essential for maintaining optimal health, supporting brain function, and ensuring that the body’s systems operate efficiently.
How much water your body needs per day
The Harvard Health article recommends drinking thirty to fifty ounces of water a day, or the equivalent of about four to six glasses of water, but it also recommends eating foods that contain a lot of fluids, such as watermelon, lettuce, spinach, and soups, which provide the body with fluids that work together with water to hydrate the body and provide it with the right amount of fluids to maintain its health, while pregnant and lactating women and athletes need more than six cups a day of water or healthy liquids, while pregnant and lactating women and athletes need more than six cups a day of healthy fluids.
The body’s fluid needs vary from one individual to another depending on environmental conditions and diet, and doctors indicate that the best way to measure the level of the amount of water that an individual should drink depends on the thirst signals sent by the brain, and observe the color of the urine, if it is dark, you should drink more water than usual, and the normal color of urine should be the color of lemonade.
An important reminder
According to a study conducted by a panel of experts and doctors from around the world, published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, athletes are the most vulnerable to the consequences of drinking too much water after a strenuous sporting activity; this is because the kidneys become full of water and are unable to balance the sodium and water levels in the body, causing swelling of cells and in severe cases leading to death.
