Water – how much am I supposed to drink everyday to be healthy? Interesting question. There is much debate about how much water is enough to consume everyday? Original recommendation said 8 eight ounce glasses or roughly 2 litres. This guideline dates back to 1945. I think there has been a lot of change since then so I don’t know if this is even remotely accurate for todays modern life.
Current Australian Dietary Guidelines say that we should “drink plenty of water” but what does that really mean?
There are Nutrient Reference Values advising that adult men should drink 2.6 litres of water per day (about 10 cups) and adult women should drink 2.1 litres per day (about eight cups).
There are some factors that need to be taken into account when looking at this.
- Sex
- Age
- Level of activity
- Environment
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
On hot days the body can lose between 1 – 3% of body fluid quite easily. This is why you feel thirstier on those days and it is important to increase your water intake. The same goes for cold temperatures as well. Your body will be working over time to keep warm – fluid loss is a side effect of this. Even felt that your skin is drier during colder months? We tend not to want to drink as much water during these months.
To make things easier and to remind you to drink more water buy an inexpensive refillable water bottle. I have one that holds around 2.1 litres. I make sure I get through I – 2 of those a day. It depends on what I am doing, what the temperature is and also if I remember to carry it with me. Don’t forget like everything don’t lose sleep if you forget one day. Make it a habit like you have with your fitness and your well on your way.