How much water do you need to stay healthy? (2024)

FAQs

How much water do you need to stay healthy? ›

So how much fluid does the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate need? The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is: About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men. About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women.

If you feel adequately hydrated on 64 ounces of water each day, that's great. If you feel overly hydrated (clear pee and very frequent urination), cut back slightly. If you feel dehydrated (dark pee, headaches, infrequent urination), eight glasses may not be enough for you.

Drinking a gallon of water a day is usually safe for most, but drinking too much water can be risky for those with certain health conditions like kidney disorders or heart problems, says Ellen Landes, RDN, CPT, a registered dietician based in St. Charles, Illinois, and owner of The Runner's Dietitian.

A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts (half gallon) of water each day. People in hot environments, children, nursing mothers, and ill people will require even more.

In essence, not everyone needs eight, eight-ounce glasses of water each day. Some people may need less, while others need far more. The general rule is to drink one ounce of water for every two pounds of body weight.

Healthy individuals without pre-existing health conditions typically get approximately 80 percent of water through fluids and 20 percent through food. Based on this, it is recommended that women consume about nine cups (72 fluid ounces) of fluid per day, and men about 12.5 cups (100 fluid ounces).

Calculating How Much Water to Drink

In general, the more you weigh, the more water you'll need to consume daily. For example, if you weigh 130 pounds, aim to drink around 87 oz (2.6 L) of water each day. This is equal to about 5.5 16-oz (0.47 L) water bottles each day.

However, if you suspect you may be overhydrated, look for symptoms like cloudy thinking, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness, spasms or cramps and headaches. In severe cases symptoms could include mental confusion, seizures, unconsciousness and even coma.

Some coffees will have a higher caffeine level than others, and obviously more than tea. But the diuretic effect is fairly low in most people, similar to tea. As both tea and coffee do count as water intake, the level of caffeine contained in both drinks shouldn't have any dehydrating effects.

​Drink your first glass of water after you wake up to hydrate your body after a long night's rest. Take your breakfast at least half an hour after the first glass. ​It's approximately 1 hour after your breakfast; have a glass of water and start your work day. ​Have a glass of water 30 minutes before lunch.

What happens if I only drink water and no other drinks? ›

In most cases, water is the perfect beverage for staying hydrated. However, drinking only water for an extended period of time is bad for your health. Not only does it lead to poor fluid balance, it can cause long term health conditions.

Water aids the digestive system, helps prevent constipation, flushes toxins from the body, promotes good kidney function, keeps your joints and muscles lubricated, supports healthier and younger-looking skin, and helps regulate body temperature.

Mineral water and alkaline water may be some of the healthiest types of water because they provide your body with essential nutrients, but simply drinking safe, uncontaminated water should be your number one priority.

While drinking 64 ounces of water each day isn't a bad thing, it could be too much or not enough for some people. Other guidelines exist, but there's still no true consensus. There's no formal recommendation for how much water people should drink every day, perhaps because everyone needs different amounts of water.

Well, let's dive into some numbers. The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine recommends the following for daily fluid intake: 125 ounces (3.7 liters) for males. 91 ounces (2.7 liters) for females.

How much water should you drink to lose weight? People can try drinking more water than the recommended amount, which may increase satiety, reduce hunger, and help them lose weight. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends 9 cups of water daily for females and 13 for males.

Drinking 64 ounces of water per day can be beneficial for weight loss as it can help suppress appetite and increase feelings of fullness. Additionally, it can boost metabolism and aid in the breakdown of fat cells. However, it's important to note that drinking water alone can't guarantee weight loss.

Well, let's dive into some numbers. The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine recommends the following for daily fluid intake: 125 ounces (3.7 liters) for males. 91 ounces (2.7 liters) for females.

MYTH: Everyone should drink 8 glasses of water a day.

While drinking 8 glasses (64 ounces / 2 liters) is an easy goal to remember and can certainly be reasonable for some, many factors affect individual hydration needs. These include: Weather: When heat and humidity rise, we need to drink more.