Water is an essential nutrient. This nutrient is more important than any of the other nutrients present in your body. Reason being, your body constitutes of about 60% of water.
Your sweat and urine are the prime reasons for losing water from your body. That is why everyone should be aware that how many ounces of water should I drink a day depending on one’s physical activities and climatic conditions.
How Many Ounces Of Water Should I Drink A Day?
Thirst and satiety influence the intake of water in your body. It is the primary sign of the loss of fluid in your body that initiates the drinking behavior. Water should be the beverage of choice for everyone. You can survive without water for just a couple of days not more than that.
ONLY 1 IN 5 ADULT INDIVIDUALS IN THE US ARE REPORTED TO DRINK AT LEAST 8 CUPS OF WATER A DAY.
However, it is to be noted that people who live in a hotter environment or do physical exertion more must drink more than 8 glasses of water.
DAILY WATER INTAKE SHOULD BE AROUND 2 LITERS OR HALF A GALLON FOR AN AVERAGE ADULT.
People who are obese or taller than the average individual should consume more water. Water supports good health. When there is too much loss of water or when the water in your body has not replaced adequately then it causes Dehydration. The initial symptoms of dehydration includes,
- Thirst
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Vague discomfort.
Dehydration will result in either of the two situations i.e. inadequate water intake or excessive loss of water in the body.
Why Is Water Important?
The water in your body carries several processes such as,
- It carries nutrients and waste products throughout the body.
- It also participates in the metabolic reactions that occur in the body.
- It acts as a solvent for vitamins, minerals, amino acids and glucose etc so that they are able to take part in the metabolic activities.
- Water acts as a lubricant for eyes and cushion around joints and spinal cord.
- It also regulates the temperature of the body. Evaporation of sweat from the skin tends to remove excess heat from the body. This is when water act to regulate normal body temperature.
The deficiency of water or inadequate intake of water can effect your organs as well including heart, kidney, and lungs. The optimal performance of these organs is dependent upon the water intake.
Water flushes your kidneys and bladder. The blood becomes concentrated as the water in the body is lost but not the dissolved substances present in it. This condition results in dry mouth that send signals to the brain to drink more water.
Drinking Other Fluids To Quench Thirst
The caffeinated drinks also result in loss of fluid from the body. Instead of choosing caffeinated drink in the afternoon to get a quick pick, choose water over any other caffeinated beverages.
In some people, headaches are common if the daily intake of water is not fulfilled. Urine color also indicates your water intake. If the color of urine is not clear and is more towards yellowish color, it signifies the excessive loss of water taking place in the body.
Everyone should be aware that how many ounces of water should I drink a day. It is important to keep the body hydrated as the 60% of an adult’s body weight constitutes water.