How Much Water Should I Really Be Drinking Per Day?
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Your body needs an adequate supply of water, which is essential for your survival.
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You should drink enough water according to your individual needs, not the “eight glasses of water a day” rule.
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It is possible to drink too much water — overhydration is a rare but serious medical concern.
You’ve likely heard that it’s important to drink water, and that it’s crucial to the survival of living beings. But do you need to drink eight glasses of water a day as popularly recommended? Moreover, what are the actual benefits of water?
In this post, we’ll separate fact from fiction when it comes to how much water you need and cover how to tell if you’re getting enough water.
What are the benefits of drinking water?
The human body contains around 60% water. Your body depends on this essential nutrient. In fact, you could not live for more than a few days without water. Below are a few of water’s many benefits. Water helps:
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Regulate your temperature
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Keep your mouth clean
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Lubricate your joints and protect sensitive tissues
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Remove harmful wastes through urine, sweat, and poop
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Transport nutrients to organs via your blood
Do I really need to drink 2 liters of water a day?
No, there is no evidence to support that you should drink eight glasses — or 2 liters — of water a day. Research has found that most people get enough water from the foods and beverages they consume daily.
All drinks — including tea, coffee, juice, and soda — contain water. For most people, drinking these beverages along with plain water makes up 70 to 80% of their total fluid intake. The other 20 to 30% of most people’s total fluid intake comes from food.
However, it’s best to limit drinking beverages that are high in sugar. Sugary drinks like soda can have negative effects on your body, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. For this reason, plain water is usually your healthiest source of hydration.