It's a known fact that 60 percent of the average adult human body is made of water. And yes, this includes your brain, heart, lungs, muscles and skin and even about 30 percent of your bones. Also, besides being one of the main ingredients in the life of humankind, water helps us regulate our internal temperature, transports nutrients throughout our bodies, flushes waste, forms saliva, lubricates joints and even serves as a protective shock absorber for vital organs and growing fetuses.
So, it's pretty established that water is crucial for a healthy life and that brings us to the main question. How much water do you actually need to drink to be healthy? While you may have heard that you should drink 1.9 litres a day, that number is actually incorrect. Numerous studies suggest that this is far more actual drinking water than is necessary for most healthy adults because it doesn’t consider the other liquids that we intake through the day. The National Academies of Sciences suggest that that women consume a total of approximately 2.7 litres of water from all beverages and foods each day while men get approximately 3.7 litres. But these statistics are loosely based on research.
The truth is, there is no magic formula for hydration. Everyone's needs vary depending on their age, weight, level of physical activity, general health and even the climate they live in. The more water you lose to sweating, the more water you'll need to replace with food and drink. "The vast majority of healthy people adequately meet their daily hydration needs by letting thirst be their guide," according to the National Academies of Sciences. Urine is also a clear indicator of how much water you should be drinking.
So, what's the takeaway then? Drink up when you're thirsty and drink more when you sweat more. Your body will do the rest for you.
