How Much Water You Should Be Drinking
We all know we need to drink water but few of us actually get the required daily amount, add in exercise, and the average American comes up short almost daily. Every cell, tissue, and organ in our body needs water to function properly.
How Much Should You Be Drinking?
Well, that depends. Climate, your size, weight, and activity levels all play a factor in the total amount of water you need day to day. If the weather is hotter, you are generally going to perspire more than if it's cooler outside. The taller and heavier you are, the more water your body needs for daily function.
Benefits Of Water
The benefits of water are often overlooked. Most Americans don't know why our bodies need so much and is probably the main reason we live in constant dehydration. Studies show that two thirds of Americans fall short of the proper amount. Here are some of the benefits of water:
- Boosts metabolism
- Aids in weight loss
- Helps satiety (making you feel full)
- Regulates body temperature
- Helps your heart pump more efficiently
- Transports oxygen
- Lubricates joints
- Helps hydrate and nourish skin
- Helps flush your digestive tract, keeping you "regular"
- Fights infections
What's The Best Way To Calculate Water Intake?
Keep it easy. The general guideline, is to drink at least half to one ounce of water per pound of your bodyweight. So if you weigh 200 lbs, you will need 100-200 ounces of water. You don't drink in ounces, so that comes to roughly 3 liters of water, leaning towards 4 liters with exercise.
Does It Have To Be Water?
Ok, but does my ________ count? The answer is most likely going to be no. The are only two things that count as water; water itself, and brewed tea, as in the kind you create from a tea bag. This does not include the water in your coffee either as coffee is actually a diuretic causing you to lose more water than you're consuming. Sorry guys.