Monday, September 6, 2010

Ever Wondered How Much Water Should You Drink a Day?

Water is an essential nutrient for our bodies. It sustains many vital functions, cleanses toxins from the body, maintains skin and is responsible for revitalising and regenerating our bodies. But how much water should you drink each day, and is it possible to drink too much?

Optimum water consumption for optimum health

In order to stay fit and healthy and keep your body functioning correctly, it is essential to drink enough water. How much is enough will vary from person to person, depending on factors such as age, height and body mass. As a general rule you should aim to drink around eight glasses, or 2.5 litres, of water a day. Small people may need to drink a little less than this, while those with a larger body mass may need to consume more.

As well as body mass there are a range of other factors to consider when working out how much water to drink each day. During hot summer days you will naturally require more water, as it is lost through the processes of sweating and evaporation, and needs to be replenished. Those with highly active lifestyles or performing physically strenuous work will also need to drink more to replace the fluids expended through activity. When participating in physical sports such as running or cycling, it is also necessary to consume larger quantities of water.

How to make sure you drink enough water

Drinking bottled water is a good way to keep track of the amount of water you consume. It is also highly convenient and enables you to keep hydrated even while on the move.

If you work in an office or other workplace with a water cooler installed, using this is also a great means of making sure you drink the right amount. On a particularly hot day, chilled water from a bottled or mains fed water cooler can be the most refreshing option, and is ideal for staying sufficiently hydrated and lowering your body temperature. On top of this, the water supplied by bottled or mains fed water coolers is usually purer in content than tap water, while also containing a range of essential minerals and nutrients.

For best results, try to keep track of how many cups you have from the water coolers each day. Pick a set amount and try to stick to it. This might be hard at first, but will eventually become an inbuilt habit. The key is to drink the amount that is right for you, using eight glasses of water a day as a rough guide. Pay attention to the cues that come from your body, such as a dry mouth or dry skin, and adjust the amount you drink until you see positive results.

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