We’ve all heard the magic number when it comes to drinking water: 8 glasses per day. Some of us probably drink less than that, and some may consume more. But what is the right amount for you? How important is water, and how can you go about getting the amount you need?

 

Let’s take a look at the factors determining how much water you need, and what you can do to get it.

How Much Water Do You Need?

Your body uses water for nearly every function, and your body will fail without it. The truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer for how much water you need. But the eight-glasses-a-day rule is a good average to base things off of. Generally speaking, the amount of water you require depends on your particular circumstances — how active you are in a day, what the climate is like where you live, and your age and gender.

 

Your best course of action is to ask your doctor about a precise measurement of how much water you should consume in a day. Tell him or her about your personal factors — do you work outside in the sun? Do you have a chronic health condition? Are you pregnant? These kinds of situations can affect how much water you need.

Is There Such a Thing As Too Much Water?

Yes, there is such a thing as drinking too much water. It’s a condition known as hyponatremia, in which your kidneys can’t get rid of the excess water in your system, and it starts to dilute the minerals in your blood. But it’s very rare for a healthy adult to drink too much water and get to this stage. Generally speaking, unless you have a specific medical condition or are at particular risk for ingesting too much water, it’s not something you have to worry about.

How Can I Get The Water I Need?

Do your best to drink around eight glasses of water per day, or whatever precise amount your doctor recommends. If you don’t want to drink plain water all the time, you can switch things up with juice or smoothies — just be careful they’re not loaded up with extra sugar and calories. And certain foods like cucumbers, watermelons, iceberg lettuce are also very high in water content, so they’re helpful in this regard as well.

 

Want even more great insights into your nutrition and health needs? Check out the Naturals2Go blog.