You’ll get all sorts of answers to the question of how much water should you drink a day. You’ll read that 8 to 10 glasses a day is the right amount to keep you fit. Claims that if you drink a lot of water, it will help you lose weight, feel better, have healthier skin, etc.
Well, I decided the goddesses that come here to SpaFromScratch deserved to know the truth so I extensively researched the subject and what follows are the facts.
One reliable source said the only time you need to drink water is when you feel thirsty. That’s a great big lie. Sorry, but I get really aggravated when physicians don’t present the facts and this information came from a nephrologists (kidney specialist). The fact is you can be dehydrated and not feel thirsty at all.
That’s all well and good, but it still doesn’t answer the question as to how much water should you drink a day. If you can’t rely on your body to tell you when it needs water, how do you know?
Dehydration symptoms according to the Mayo Clinic:
- Thirst
- Dry mouth
- Decrease in how much you urinate
- Dark or brown urine
- Dry skin
- Headache
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
What Science Tells Us:
Science tells us that we need water to survive. About three days without water and we no longer have to worry about how much water we intake because more than likely we’ll be dead.
Water increases blood flow to the capillaries, tiny blood vessels that carry nourishment to all the cells in our body including our skin.
The kidneys filter urea, uric acid and a small percentage of inorganic salts. Too much water inhibits the effectiveness of the kidney’s filtering process. How much water is too much varies from individual to individual.
What to do if you don’t like water:
Not all water tastes the same. If you don’t like tap water, try buying a filtering device either for the tap or one that filters water into a container. In my area, the water tastes horrible. Sometimes it tastes like swimming pool water and at other times it has a chemical taste. Ugh! I filter it into a container and store in the refrigerator. Now I have cold, delicious water to drink straight or use to make tea and coffee.
Sometimes I will add a dash of lemon to the water for a little extra taste. I also drink juices, but won’t touch those that are artificially sweetened. That adds a bit to the sugar intake, but sometimes a glass of juice is oh so refreshing.
Factors influencing how much water you should drink in a day:
How much water should you drink a day is also determined by what you eat. If you eat a lot of fruits and vegetables that are high in water content, you don’t need as much water as you do if your diet consists mainly of dense water poor foods. Think French fries and bananas (water poor) vs. melons, grapes, spinach (water rich).
Another factor in determining your water needs is your intake of diuretics. Diuretics pull water out of your body and are eliminated when you urinate. The caffeine in coffee and tea and some soda drinks for some people can have a diuretic effect. Some medications are prescribed as diuretics. These are often prescribed for people who tend to retain too much water. If you’re taking diuretics, consult with your doctor about how much water you should consume.
How much you perspire due to heat or exercise influences how much water you should drink. Common sense and science say to drink more if you perspire more. Duh! Just a note here, if you perspire a great deal, it’s a good idea to drink fluids that will help keep your electrolytes balanced like Gatorade.
Here’s what this coffee, tea and juice gal does:
I’m not recommending you do what I do. Each one of you is unique in what you eat and drink. Some of you live in hot humid climates, some in arid climates and some, like me live in cool temperate climates. Some of you are runners who work up a sweat every day and some of you are couch goddesses. However, I’m going to share what I’ve done that’s made a difference in how I feel.
As I said, I live in a cool temperate climate. I eat a fair amount of water rich fruits and vegetables. I drink a couple of cups of coffee a day and a cup of green tea. Some days include a glass or two of juice and I enjoy drinking two or three cans of root beer a week. Last year, I decided to try an experiment. I added a couple of glasses of water a day. I’ve noticed an overall improvement in how my body functions and how I feel. I previously tried the 8 glasses of water recommended by some medical professionals and about gagged. For me it was too much. Instead of feeling better, I felt water logged.
In the summer, particularly on an exceedingly hot day, I do drink more water because it’s the only beverage that really quenches my thirst.
Conclusion
Do some experimenting on your own. Make sure you are getting enough water by looking at the color of your urine and watching for any signs of dehydration. We want all of our goddesses here on SpaFromScratch to feel wonderful and vibrant all the time. Hopefully “How Much Water Should You Drink a Day” will answer some of your questions and head you in the right direction.
Now go have fun and relax.