How Much Water to Drink Daily?
It is believed that all adults need to drink about 2 liters of water a day, however, this amount is an estimate. The exact how much water to drink daily that people need to ingest varies according to weight, age, the season of the year and other factors such as whether the individual performs a physical activity or not, since during exercise more fluids are lost through sweating, having to ingest more water.
Water corresponds to between 60 and 70% of the total body composition and is essential for the proper functioning of the body, so the most correct way to know how much water you need to drink daily is through the calculation based on the weight and age of the individual.
The table below shows how to calculate the amount of water-based on age and weight:
| Adults | Amount of water per kg |
|---|---|
| Active youth up to 17 years | 40 ml per kg |
| 18 to 55 years | 35 ml per kg |
| 55 to 65 years | 30 ml per kg |
| More than 66 years | 25 ml per kg |
People who practice physical activity should drink around 500 mL to 1L of water more than their daily requirement for benefits of water and for each hour of physical activity, especially if they perspire a lot during training.
Being thirsty is the first sign of dehydration, so it is not necessary to wait for it to manifest itself to drink water. Other signs of dehydration are dry mouth and dark yellow, strong-smelling urine. In case the individual presents these symptoms, it is recommended to drink water, homemade serum, oral rehydration salts or coconut water and if the symptoms persist, it is recommended to see a doctor.
Does much water to drink daily harmful?
Drinking more water than indicated for the age and weight of the person can have negative effects, mainly in those who suffer from diseases such as kidney or heart failure, since in these conditions the body is unable to eliminate excess water, which can cause inflammation throughout the body, shortness of breath, increased blood pressure, imbalance of minerals in the blood and overload of the kidneys.
In addition, people who are below their ideal weight for their age and height should not drink more than 1.5 liters of water a day, because their blood can be very diluted, having a low sodium concentration, which produces tremors and mental confusion.
Why You drink water to daily at enough amount
On the other hand, the consumption of more than 2 liters of water a day by people who do not have diseases or who are at their ideal weight for their age and height does not have negative health effects, the most that can happen is an increase how often to urinate.
Drinking water helps to lose weight, favors the hydration of the stool in cases of constipation, favors the production of enzymes and saliva for digestion and improves the quality of the skin. In addition to this, it is the main constituent of the human body, being important for metabolism because all the biochemical reactions of the body need water. source
Water is vital for the control of body temperature, blood circulation and the formation of urine that is responsible for eliminating waste from the body. Although juices, soups and fruits contain water, it is very important to drink water in its natural form, since the body loses water when breathing, through feces, through the skin and urine, and its replacement is necessary to maintain body water balance.
Drinking water on an empty stomach is good for the body because it stimulates the gastrointestinal system after a long fasting period, improving intestinal function.
Techniques for drinking more water in a day
Some tips to increase your water consumption are:
1. Have a thermos of at least 2L
An excellent strategy to increase your daily water consumption is to buy a 2L thermos. This way you know that you have to drink that amount of water during the day at least.
In case you do not like to drink natural water, it is possible to add a slice of lemon or orange to give it another flavor and to achieve the goal.
2. Write down the amount of water ingested
Another strategy is to keep a kind of diary noting the hours and the amount of water you drank, this being a way to become aware of the amount of water you drink and try to increase your consumption until you achieve the daily water requirement.
3. Prepare flavored waters
Flavoring the water with lemon, cucumber, or mint leaves is an excellent strategy for those who have difficulty drinking plain water or who tend to eat with sodas or pasteurized juices.
In addition to this, the flavoured waters acquire the benefits of the foods that were used for their preparation, for this reason, it confers various properties such as increasing the consumption of vitamins, detoxifying the body and helping in the weight loss process.
| Flavored waters | How to prepare | What is it for |
|---|---|---|
| Lemon or orange water | Add 1 lemon cut into slices in 1 liter of water. Being able to even add the juice of 1/2 lemon to make it more intense if necessary. | Lemon and orange are excellent for detoxifying the body and eliminating toxins. it contains vitamin C that strengthens the immune system and the skin. |
| Cucumber water | Place 7 to 8 cucumber slices in 1 liter of water. To give it more flavor, you can use some mint leaves if you want. | Cucumber helps to cool off on the hottest days, preventing dehydration. It also prevents fluid retention due to its diuretic action. |
| Ginger Water | Leave 4 to 5 slices of ginger in 1 L of water. Add 2 to 3 lemon slices in case the flavor is very intense. | Ginger is a thermogenic root that increases metabolism and, therefore, is excellent for those who need to lose weight and burn fat. |
| Eggplant water | Add an aubergine cut into cubes in 1 L of water. | Eggplant has antioxidants that delay the ageing of cells, in addition to this, it is rich in fibres that help treat constipation. |
| Water with chamomile or lemon balm | Place 2 tablespoons of the dried plant in 1 L of water, strain before drinking. | These plants have a powerful relaxing action that reduces excess stress and anxiety. |
Ideally, prepare the flavored water the night before so that it gains more flavor and benefits from the foods that have been added. You should always strain the water before drinking it and it can be placed in the refrigerator to drink it cold, especially on very hot days.
