Getting enoughwaterdaily is essential to staying healthy.
On average, about 22% of our water intake comes from food.
Water regulates body temperature and lubricates your joints.
RealPeopleGroup / Getty Images
It helps transport nutrients to give you energy and keep you healthy.
Depending on how long and hard you exercise, electrolytes may or may not be needed.
Electrolytes include salt and minerals such as potassium, phosphate, calcium, and magnesium.
Maintaining electrolyte balance maximizes the performance of the bodys muscles, organs, and joints.
Factors that Affect Water Needs
While recommended daily intakes by age and activity are helpful.
There are additional factors that affect how much water you need.
How Much Should You Drink Based on Your Weight?
Too many factors affect individual needs, including foods you eat, activity level, and overall health.
In infants, water accounts for about 80% of body weight.
That decreases to about 60% in adult men and 50% in adult women.
Other Ways to Stay Hydrated
There are many other beverages besides water to help you stay hydrated.
For most people, regular water is sufficient to stay hydrated during exercise.
For healthy people, thevasopressinhormone (also called theantidiuretichormone) and the kidneys help to balance fluid loss.
Drinking too much water makes it hard for the kidneys to get rid of the excess water.
This is called hyponatremia, and it can be life-threatening.
Summary
Drinking water is necessary for optimal health.
you might also consume water and fluids through foods and other beverages.
Harvard Medical School.How much water should you drink?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Water and healthier drinks.
Chan School of Public Health.Water.
2024;16(13):2157.
Published 2024 Jul 6. doi:10.3390/nu16132157
American Academy of Pediatrics.Recommended drinks for children age 5 & under.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Choose water for healthy hydration.
U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.Dietary reference intakes for electrolytes and water.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.How much water should I drink during pregnancy?
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.Nursing Your Baby?
What You Eat and Drink Matters.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Hydration for athletes.
American Council on Exercise.Healthy hydration.
J Occup Environ Hyg.
American Council on Exercise.Electrolytes: understanding replacement options.
Rowlands DS, Kopetschny BH, Badenhorst CE.
2016;55(2):815-819. doi:10.1007/s00394-015-0903-4
USDA.Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.
2019;11(1):70. doi: 10.3390/nu11010070
MSD Manual Consumer Version.Overhydration.
