You’ve probably been told to “drink more water!” at some point in your life. While it might make you roll your eyes, drinking enough water and staying hydrated is important. But, how do you know if you’re getting enough water, and why exactly is it so important?

We have those answers for you below, along with why you should be choosing water over sports drinks and good ideas for that can help you get more water throughout your day.

How much water should you be drinking?

In a Mayo Clinic article, the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is referenced as saying that a good daily fluid intake is:

• About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters or 125 ounces) of fluids for men
• About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters or 91 ounces) of fluids for women

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, most of your fluid needs are met by drinking water or other beverages, however you can also get some fluid through the foods that you eat.

You may have heard the recommendation to drink 8, eight-ounce glass of water a day. This is a good and reasonable goal, however some people need more than this amount and some people need less. There is actually no universally agreed upon quantity of daily water intake.

Some factors that influence how much water you should drink include your daily amount of exercise, your environment, overall health, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Talking to our health providers at the Family Health Clinic can also help you determine the right amount of water for you.

Why is water so important?

As listed in Medical News Today, here are some of the reasons drinking water is so important. Water is needed to:

• lubricate the joints
• deliver oxygen throughout the body
• cushion the brain, spinal cord, and other sensitive tissues
• regulate body temperature
• produce hormones and neurotransmitters
• help food pass through the intestines
• flush body waste

And as you’ll find, not all fluids are as great as water is for you.

Are sports drinks good for me?

Many times, people think that it’s best to drink a sports drink after a workout instead of drinking water. It’s true that sports drinks can benefit athletes who engage in long or intense training session, however they are usually unnecessary for most gym goers.

Typically, sports drinks contain sugar and calories, while water does not. The CDC states, “frequently drinking sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with weight gain/obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney diseases, tooth decay, and more.”

If you or your child has had an intense workout and you’re looking to replace electrolytes that may have been lost, you can opt for a water infused with electrolytes instead of picking a sugary sports drink option.

As an expansion to this article, Julie DeBord, RN, AGNP student from our clinic, wrote about why you should choose water over sugary drinks.

Easy ways to get more water and fluids:

If you’re realizing now that you might need to increase your water intake, we have a few fun ideas for you!

• Get a water bottle that can infuse your water with fruit or other flavors
• Track your water intake using an app
• Eat water-rich foods like cucumbers, melons, celery or soup with a light broth
• Turn drinking water into a ritual by having a glass or two before every meal and before bed
• See if you like unsweetened sparkling water that you can buy in the store
• Set an alert on your phone to remind you to drink throughout the day
• Always carry a reusable water bottle with you so you have no reason not to take a sip

If you want more ideas you can visit Women’s Health Magazine or search for ideas on Google – there are plenty!

Is it time to take a look at your overall health?

Drinking enough water is just one aspect of your overall health. If you’re looking for a health provider that will talk with you about your health goals and guide you through health issues you may be having, please schedule an appointment with us by calling 800-321-5043.

Medical Disclaimer

Resources:

• https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/nutrition/index.html
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sports-drinks#most-people
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sports-drinks#water-vs-sports-drinks
• https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/data-statistics/sugar-sweetened-beverages-intake.html
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/290814.php
• https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/g19996713/drink-more-water-0/?slide=1